AS9110 remote consulting and training for small businesses

 

As the world recovers from the initial effects of COVID-19 and gets used to a life of remote work some organizations continue to do the needful to service the aerospace industry. Aviation still needs maintenance and repair organizations. Maintenance of operational aircraft is still a need. Those companies looking to service this industry will need AS9110 certification and in order to attain it will need to put in place management system conforming to AS9110.

AS9110 is an internationally recognized standard the defines the requirements for aerospace quality management systems. The standard is published by SAE and uses the framework of ISO 9001 as a foundation. As a result, the standard contains all the requirements of ISO 9001 and additional specific requirements for the maintenance organizations. The AS9110 standard is built upon the process-based approach and companies use the standard to meet stakeholder needs, leadership objectives as also to continually improve. 

So what are the challenges of remote consulting and training and what are the benefits? Starting with the benefits, remote work immediately reduces the budget it takes to implement systems by doing away with the travel costs. In addition, it also potentially allows for less disruption in the regular work schedule as now you do not have to spend an entire week accommodating a consultant but can slot a couple of hours a day as needed. Process mapping, capturing documentation and interviews with key personnel are easily done online. QMII has in the past even done virtual walkarounds of the facility to gain an appreciation of the work done as also interview personnel at their workstations.

The challenges of remote consulting include the need for a good internet connection. Having a consultant on site at times ensure personnel focus on the task so the consultants time is well used. Remote work may not bring about the same focus. It is also challenging for the client to clearly know what the consultant is working on and what is pending. This is easily resolved though through interactive mapping sessions as also a good project plan and a shared document drive.

QMII has been providing remote virtual instructor led training for over seven years now. Over the years we have adapted our course materials to ensure that students walk away having met their learning objectives even when in a virtual environment. With the approval from PORBITAS to conduct our AS9110 courses virtually we have easily extended our lessons learned to deliver an AS9110 lead auditor training that meets the quality standards our clients have come to expect from QMII courses.

The travel restrictions should not stop your system implementation. Remote consulting, auditing and training in the AS9110 standard is a possibility that you can explore and benefit from.