Do auditors make concessions for smaller companies - AS9100 Small Company Questions

[falconmaster]

Re: Do auditors make concessions for smaller companies - AS9100 Small Company Questio

Falconmaster - welcome to the Cove!

We've been having some recent discussions about this very topic. I'd encourage you to take a look since you're suggesting doing the opposite of what a large number of experienced and qualified people suggest......

It is widely held that 'copying' the standard is of little to no value as a policy manual.......

I would have to disagree. Using a template is not "copying". It just has all the generic text already written. Items that all the manuals have to have are already formatted. Like I said it saves time. The things that vary from company to company are the procedures & work instructions. The forms are basically the same. Why would you want to go through all that trouble for?

 

[AndyN]

Re: Do auditors make concessions for smaller companies - AS9100 Small Company Questio

I would have to disagree. Using a template is not "copying". It just has all the generic text already written. Items that all the manuals have to have are already formatted. Like I said it saves time. The things that vary from company to company are the procedures & work instructions. The forms are basically the same. Why would you want to go through all that trouble for?

Since this thread has been derailed, perhaps you'd care to review this thread? https://elsmar.com/elsmarqualityforum/threads/32125/

 

[Bill Goss]

Re: Do auditors make concessions for smaller companies - AS9100 Small Company Questio

Auditors need to be consistent with their auditing practices when auditing for AS9100 or any other ISO standard for that matter, regardless of the size of the organization. However, having said that, there is one area that stands out as more flexible than others and that is in the "documentation required by the organization".

The smaller the organization, the more reliant you can be on "Tribal Knowledge". That is, if certain processes are done day in and day out consistently and without errors, then creating a procedure or work instruction is not going to be of value and will collect dust over time. Think about whether the desired process could be deviated from if a different person filled in for the usual person. If they would do the same steps in the process and the outcome would always be correct, no procedure or work instruction is necessary.

However, the procedures dictated by the AS9100 standard as being documented must all be in place. The level of detail, here again, is dependent upon whether deviations could occur or not.

Please do not paint yourself in to a corner with unnecessary requirements. A bureaucratic and unmanageable system should be avoided.

I hope this helps.

Bill Goss