Hello!

I have done a lot of studies but I couldn't find a clear definition of the term product audit. I understand that any final product (e.g. aircraft, any aircraft part or component) can be checked against its specification - preferrably from the customer's point of view. Lately, I was asked if a service can also be considered to be a product. The question came from an aircraft mechanics who wanted to know if the performed maintenance to an aircraft could also be regarded as a "final product" and if this can also be objective of a product audit.

Can anybody help me to get a better understanding for this?

Thank you - any reply will be appreciated!

Service and product are the same thing in my mind as far as they are deliverables. I would say that the maintenance is definatly a service and therefore a deliverable. If the aircraft for example says that xyz system is to be checked every 100,000 miles and have ABC fluid replaced that is the product your mechanic is delivering his product is a service which may or may not include physical parts but should include some report documenting the service performed.
Depending on what your main business is will probably determine if your auditor will view the mechanics work as product, but it most likely will be audited as part of your QMS regardless of the auditors perception of it as a product or not.


Mark

Hello!

I have done a lot of studies but I couldn't find a clear definition of the term product audit. I understand that any final product (e.g. aircraft, any aircraft part or component) can be checked against its specification - preferrably from the customer's point of view. Lately, I was asked if a service can also be considered to be a product. The question came from an aircraft mechanics who wanted to know if the performed maintenance to an aircraft could also be regarded as a "final product" and if this can also be objective of a product audit.

Can anybody help me to get a better understanding for this?

Thank you - any reply will be appreciated!

In my opinion, a product is defined as parts or service that a customer receives from a supplier for a fee.

As for the A&P Mechanics or Repair Technicians (if they are) they are providing a service for a cost to a customer, which most likely would be the Airlines. Therefore I feel that this is considered a product.

Thank you Coury and thank you also to Mark (post above). That's also my understanding but I think my real problem is how to do a product audit if the product is not a physical product, nothing that I can touch. Apart from a maintenance check this may also be a commercial flight, i.e. to take passengers from one place to the other. Somehow I have problems to differ between process and product audits if I cannot "touch" the "procuct"!

Do you maybe have an answer for me with the question defined like this, too?

Thanks so much in advance.

Thank you Coury and thank you also to Mark (post above). That's also my understanding but I think my real problem is how to do a product audit if the product is not a physical product, nothing that I can touch. Apart from a maintenance check this may also be a commercial flight, i.e. to take passengers from one place to the other. Somehow I have problems to differ between process and product audits if I cannot "touch" the "product"!

Do you maybe have an answer for me with the question defined like this, too?

Thanks so much in advance.

I understand your problem but all services are a compilation of physical acts.
A commercial flight includes: Meal, seats, timekeeping, cleanliness etc etc...
To perform a product audit in a tangible or intangible product/service one defines aspects to be audited, a form of dashboard ( the aspects decided to be most important). Choose which aspects to be audited and audit them as a form of satisfaction survey but by trained assessors.

Use ISO 9000:2005 for your definitions. For ISO 9001:2000, it is the "normative reference." It other words, the definitions found there are the "official" ones.

I always believe in going back to the books when in doubt. It is always advisable to confirm what you know or what you think you know. Thats what I did for this question.

Firstly, whats a product?

ISO clause 1.1 - In this International Standard, the term "product" applies only to the product intended for, or required by, a customer.

Is a service a product?

Clause 3 - Throughout the text .. wherever the term "product" occurs, it can also mean "service".

How to conduct product audit?

ISO 9001 does not ask for a product audit. Only TS does. Do you need it?

Clause 8.2.2.3 (TS) - The organisation shall audit products at appropriate stages of production and delivery to verify conformity to all specified requirements, ... , at a defined frequency.

What if the product is a service?

Much before you reach the audit stage, you need to define the process of product delivery and specify requirements at various stages, controls on them,.... Its all defined by you. Its measurable. Just audit it.

Not defined? Possibly the product you are considering does not fit the definition in clause 1. Or then your system needs some fine tuning.

Hi! Angelika,

In my opinion Product audit means, audit product as per drawing requirements (dimensional, material and functional) and as per product characteristics staed in your control plan. Does this answer your question?

Hi! Angelika,

In my opinion Product audit means, audit product as per drawing requirements (dimensional, material and functional) and as per product characteristics staed in your control plan. Does this answer your question?

Why stated in the control plan?- these requirements are "controlled" is it not more sensible to audit that which is not controlled?
You sell as service based on your advertisement and specification, this is the source of the audit.

Thank you so much to all of you. All your explanations are excellent and have given me a clear understanding of the term product audit and how to handle product audits.
Special thanks to Mark to offer this great forum.

Angelika.