Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers typical auditing elements across multiple business areas and elements. The following issues and challenges are considered for each element.
>> Related to the effectiveness of ensuring EASA compliance as per EASA and ICAO requirements, certified aerodromes shall demonstrate and continually monitor compliance with the requirements through audits and inspections.
Ensuring Best Practices related to EASA-compliant Auditing and Oversight of European airports.
EASA-compliant auditing and oversight are multi-faceted processes that require a comprehensive approach. Regular audits, continuous training, and a proactive approach to safety and compliance are essential for ensuring effective and compliant aerodrome operations in Europe.
Sharing a view - Steve Bentley CEO of Sofema offers his take on how we interpret the terms QA & QC
Introduction - Is there a difference between EASA/FAA & ISO? Interpretation of Quality Assurance & Quality Control?
Well yes but first let's start with this interpretation (not mine) - Quality Glossary Definition: Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)
» Quality assurance and quality control are two aspects of quality management. » While some quality assurance and quality control activities are interrelated, the two are defined differently. » Typically, QA activities and responsibilities cover virtually all of the quality system in one fashion or another, » While QC is a subset of the QA activities. » Also, elements in the quality system might not be specifically covered by QA/QC activities and responsibilities but may involve QA and QC.
SOL (www.sofemaonline.com) looks at Measuring the Effectiveness of the Aviation Organisation’s QC Management
QC Belongs to Production
As an Introduction and to share as a common understanding within the EASA system that Quality Assurance QA is independent & QC is essentially embodied within the production process.
SofemaOnline (www.sofemaonline.com) looks at the challenges which an auditor faces when searching for non-conformities.
Introduction
Compliance Auditing is typically charged with meeting the challenge of ensuring that the organisation always remains fully compliant with both internal and external obligations.
Aviation is a complex environment and the challenge of staying fully aligned with the EASA regulations at all levels requires a proactive approach to maintaining a full understanding of all the applicable regulatory obligations.
James Pike Managing Director of JP International Training Ltd will be presenting on the subject of Auditing Airport Security with the focus on understanding and address the various challenges
If you are engaged in Aviation Quality & Safety Management this is your one "must attend" event of the year.
Here is your opportunity to engage with a professional who has decades of experience and is able to rise to the challenge of any Airport Security issue and to share an understanding regarding best practice solutions.
Considering the relationship between Aviation Quality and Aviation Safety, together with the relationship between Quality Assurance Auditing and Safety Assurance Auditing in Aviation
Often it is apparent there is some confusion between the specific functions of the two different undertakings namely a quality assurance management system and that of a safety assurance management system.
So consider that Quality is essentially looking at compliance, and Safety is looking at Risk. In essence Quality Assurance is determining gaps based on non compliance with either the regulatory requirements or organisational requirements.
So let’s take a look at how we could perform an Audit of the Internal Reporting System within an Operators Management System.
Consider First the Background Regulatory Obligations and to note that we need in this case to comply with both 965/2012 and 376/2014 (Proposed Audit Items are identified as AI-N)
AMC1 ORO.GEN.200(a)(2) Management system COMPLEX OPERATORS - SAFETY POLICY
(a) The safety policy should:
(4) Include safety reporting principles. AI-1
(b) The safety policy should include a commitment:
(5) Not to blame someone for reporting something which would not have been otherwise detected. AI-2
The ability to successfully identify and address the root cause is not a given and like many activities benefits from improved knowledge experience and development of individual competence.
Typically it is only by monitoring over time that we are able to confirm that the mitigation's which have been developed as a result of analysed root cause have done the job. However we can draw a conclusion based on our understanding of the analysis and actions which have taken place to assess if we have confidence in the steps which have been taken.
Any shortfall in expectation could for example cause the finding to be re-opened for additional analysis.
Some of the reasons that the true root cause has been miss identified are considered here :
a) Root Cause Analysis (RCA) based on assumptions rather than on objective evidence. It is essential to ensure that all data is accurately classified and clearly understood in relation to the observed facts.
www.sassofia.com considers the complexities of Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
To be effective in reducing negative events we need to understand how we can use various analytical techniques to first understand and then to mitigate the actual as well as potential exposure.
The root cause analysis (RCA) method uses a cause and effect approach by asking (For example) multiple "why" questions as an effective way to identify one or more low level elements which contributed in some way to a subsequent failure.
With sufficient information available we are able to develop a number of corrective actions which should directly impact the exposure and which if taken correctly should prevent failure in the future.
Direct cause is defined as “the cause that directly resulted in the occurrence.” This would be like the person who whilst following a standard operating procedure (SOP) makes an “error” which results in an adverse outcome.
So therefore we can say that the person’s error is the direct cause of the problem that occurred.
We are very pleased to announce the availability of our latest training which provides for an opportunity to update regarding the Role of the Aviation Quality System within the European Aviation Safety Agency “EASA” Environment.
The Aviation Quality Compliance System should be at the heart of the operation, fully functioning and visible within every department and element of the organization.
This course delivers a comprehensive understanding of all elements of an Aviation Compliance led Quality Management System (QMS). An effective Compliance Management Process can help to support the organization in the most meaningful and tangible way. Organizations which can deliver the most effective quality audit system, together with an efficient process to follow up with all identified issues in a practical way, can excel in the delivery of their core products and services.
