J
JaimeB
Good afternoon.
I work for a small aerospace engineering company who is working towards AS9100C certification.
As it stands currently, we have all documented procedures required by the standard, but the extent of implementation/awareness varies greatly.
A little background:
Before I was hired earlier this year, a consultant was hired who "developed" 15 procedures based on AS9100 Rev B. I was hired to distill these procedures into something that reflected actual practice within the company (keeping in mind AS9100 requirements). At the consultant's advice, we were trying to develop all of our procedures first, then provide formal training to everyone and commence the implementation. Once I finished the procedures required by the standard (with input from the consultant, as well as the staff here, including management approval), the consultant advised me that we would now begin working toward Rev C certification, which would require significant rework on ALL procedures (including the ones I developed, knowing full well we would never have a chance to certify to Rev B).
I don't have a background in Quality, but I have lurked around the cove for nearly 6 months and have received quite an education.
To top that off, we had a key person leave the company last month, and I was asked to put my work on the QMS on hold to temporarily fill the vacant role (without it, all work would come to a screeching halt - no bueno for anyone).
A customer is coming to audit us next week. We've done business with them before, and we're pretty much a sole supplier for what they buy from us.
I need advice on how to handle this audit. Once I am able to work on the QMS again, I anticipate taking another 6 months or so to get everything in order, processes refined, internal audits taking place, etc, but obviously the auditor does not want to hear how good my intentions are. They want to see objective evidence - which we have very little of.
My plan was to show them the procedures in draft form, give them an idea of what our implementation plan is going to be, and find out which gaps they need us to address first.
Does anyone have any insight or suggestions for me on how to approach this without looking like a maroon?
Thanks in advance!
I work for a small aerospace engineering company who is working towards AS9100C certification.
As it stands currently, we have all documented procedures required by the standard, but the extent of implementation/awareness varies greatly.
A little background:
Before I was hired earlier this year, a consultant was hired who "developed" 15 procedures based on AS9100 Rev B. I was hired to distill these procedures into something that reflected actual practice within the company (keeping in mind AS9100 requirements). At the consultant's advice, we were trying to develop all of our procedures first, then provide formal training to everyone and commence the implementation. Once I finished the procedures required by the standard (with input from the consultant, as well as the staff here, including management approval), the consultant advised me that we would now begin working toward Rev C certification, which would require significant rework on ALL procedures (including the ones I developed, knowing full well we would never have a chance to certify to Rev B).
I don't have a background in Quality, but I have lurked around the cove for nearly 6 months and have received quite an education.
To top that off, we had a key person leave the company last month, and I was asked to put my work on the QMS on hold to temporarily fill the vacant role (without it, all work would come to a screeching halt - no bueno for anyone).
A customer is coming to audit us next week. We've done business with them before, and we're pretty much a sole supplier for what they buy from us.
I need advice on how to handle this audit. Once I am able to work on the QMS again, I anticipate taking another 6 months or so to get everything in order, processes refined, internal audits taking place, etc, but obviously the auditor does not want to hear how good my intentions are. They want to see objective evidence - which we have very little of.
My plan was to show them the procedures in draft form, give them an idea of what our implementation plan is going to be, and find out which gaps they need us to address first.
Does anyone have any insight or suggestions for me on how to approach this without looking like a maroon?
Thanks in advance!