Effective Management of your Aviation Quality System

There can be two reasons to implement a Quality Assurance System. The first is that it is a required mandatory process to ensure compliance with all regulatory and organisational requirements. The second is that we have an opportunity to use the QA process to support the companies objectives to effectively manage the business in the most efficient way.

A commitment to Quality can become intrinsic within the organization whereby Quality becomes the driver rather than allowing Compliance to become the driver – Compliance should be assumed as a given rather than a target.

If a regulatory audit throws up a non compliance then it is also an indication of a Quality Assurance system shortfall as this is where the non compliance should have been identified. To move to a higher level requires the company to develop effective and compliant business processes which are acceptable to the post holders and business area managers and can at the same time be supported by all employees.

Key elements include effective communication, and a significant competence in all elements associated with the delivery of a strong Quality Assurance System. The audit process should be monitored carefully to ensure it does not compromise the credibility of your quality management system.

Separating out an understanding regarding the difference between QA and QC and the core responsibility of everyone in the organization to ensure effective delivery of the QC product is a positive start. The Goals and aspirations of the Quality Assurance department should be fully aligned with the rest of the organization.

We may even consider that the word "quality" has been overused and in an organization that is compliance driven rather than quality driven may even lead to the possibility of compromising a quality outcome or product.

Conflict caused by misunderstood objectives and outcomes can be damaging for the organization, often the root cause of such conflict can be traced to poor procedures or communication, essentially we should ensure that the required outcome is achievable without compromising quality. Conflicts may occur when we over focus on compliance with the required standard rather than the underlying reason for the compliance of the standard.

Some people argue that being compliance driven may in fact provide employees with an excuse not to accept responsibility or worse to distance them selves from the obligation to find a solution to the problem.

The operator should develop suitable procedures to ensure:

1. The auditor is not directly responsible for the activities to be audited, external auditors should be familiar with the type of operation and/or maintenance conducted by the operator
2. The operator’s QAP should identify the persons within the company who have the experience, responsibility and authority to: Perform quality inspections and audits as part of ongoing Quality Assurance
3. To Identify and record any concerns or findings, and the evidence necessary to substantiate such concerns or findings
4. To Initiate or recommend solutions to concerns or findings through designated reporting channels
5. Verify the implementation of solutions within specific timescales
6. Report directly to the Accountable Manager through the Quality Manager 

Sofema Aviation services provide a number of aviation quality related training courses. If you have any questions please email us at online@sassofia.com or office@sassofia.com