Build an Aerospace Quality Management System,
Then Arrange Independent Certification
To achieve AS9100 certification, your organisation
needs to establish and operate a quality management
system meeting the applicable requirements, then
have it assessed through the aerospace certification scheme.
The work begins with understanding your products,
services, customer requirements and operational risks.
Procedures need to reflect how the organisation
controls its actual activities.
Zebsoft can support management-system administration
through configured documents, audits, risks and actions.
Specialist aerospace requirements and workflows
need to be assessed during scoping.
1. Confirm the Standard and Certification Scope
The 9100 series addresses quality management
in aviation, space and defence. Confirm which
standard applies to your activities before
starting implementation.
Your activities may involve manufacturing,
design, maintenance or distribution. These
distinctions matter when choosing the applicable
standard and defining the certification scope.
- Identify the products and services included.
- Define relevant sites, processes and responsibilities.
- Review customer and contractual requirements.
- Identify applicable regulatory obligations.
- Confirm the required standard and edition with
a suitable certification body.
2. Review Your Existing Management System
If you already operate a quality management system,
examine what it covers and where aerospace-specific
requirements introduce additional work.
Use a structured gap assessment supported by
the applicable standard and competent interpretation.
- Follow processes from customer requirements
through delivery. - Examine the controls and evidence already in place.
- Identify missing or ineffective arrangements.
- Assign improvement owners and realistic dates.
- Provide the resources needed to implement changes.
Existing ISO 9001 certification may provide a
foundation, but it does not automatically confer
AS9100 certification.
3. Establish Controls Around the Work
Translate requirements into clear operating
arrangements. The controls should reflect
your products, services and responsibilities.
Depending on your scope, areas to examine include:
- Review and communication of customer requirements.
- Operational risk and product safety.
- Configuration and change management.
- Supplier selection, oversight and requirement flow-down.
- Prevention of counterfeit parts.
- Identification and traceability where required.
- Inspection, verification and release decisions.
- Control of nonconforming outputs.
- Competence and awareness.
- Controlled information and retained records.
This is an orientation to the work, not a complete
requirements checklist. Use the applicable standard
and customer requirements to determine the controls
your organisation needs.
4. Demonstrate Implementation With Evidence
Approved documents describe what should happen.
Operating records help demonstrate how the
arrangements are applied.
Retain evidence appropriate to your scope,
including relevant reviews, approvals, checks,
changes and responses to exceptions.
Make the connection between the requirement,
the activity and its outcome understandable.
Records should support traceability without
unnecessary duplication.
5. Audit the Processes and Address Findings
Internal audits should examine conformity and
effectiveness using the applicable criteria
and evidence from real work.
- Define the audit scope and criteria.
- Use suitable auditors and maintain objectivity.
- Examine process interactions and important controls.
- Record findings with supporting evidence.
- Address nonconformities and investigate causes.
- Review the effectiveness of corrective actions.
Use the results to improve the system before
and after certification. Repeated findings
may indicate that a previous response did
not resolve the underlying issue.
6. Complete Management Review
Leadership should review the management system’s
performance, suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.
Bring together relevant customer feedback,
process performance, audit findings, supplier
performance, risks, resources and previous actions.
Retain decisions about improvement, changes
and resource needs. Give resulting actions
owners and follow-up arrangements.
7. Arrange Certification Through the Aerospace Scheme
Select a certification body authorised for
the relevant aerospace certification service.
Agree your scope, assessment arrangements
and preparation requirements.
The certification body will explain its audit
process, how findings are addressed and
the certification decision arrangements.
IAQG’s OASIS database provides information
about suppliers certified under the aerospace
quality management system scheme.
Where Zebsoft Can Support the Management System
Zebsoft can support configured records and workflows
for controlled documents, responsibilities,
audits, risks and improvement actions.
During scoping, discuss your aerospace processes,
required fields, approvals, permissions and
evidence needs. Confirm which activities can
be supported and which specialist systems
or controls remain necessary.
Zebsoft does not provide AS9100 certification
or replace technical competence, product
controls or independent assessment.
Common Questions
Can we build on an existing ISO 9001 system?
Yes. Review existing arrangements against
the applicable aerospace requirements and
address the additional needs and gaps.
How long does certification take?
The timescale depends on scope, starting
position, resources and assessment availability.
Develop a realistic plan with your implementation
team and certification body.
Will purchasing software make us certified?
No. Software can support management-system
activity. Certification depends on implementation
and an independent certification decision.
Do we need to replace all our existing records?
No. Review their relevance, reliability and
required history. Preserve useful evidence
and agree any migration or configuration
changes before implementation.
Discuss Your Aerospace Quality Management Needs
Tell us which activities you need to manage
and where documents, audits or actions are
difficult to coordinate.
Use the floating Request more information
button to ask a question, or book a demonstration
to discuss your requirements.
