IA9100 Glossary

Plain-language explanations of terms you will meet during an AS9100D to IA9100 transition. These are Paradygm Consulting's working descriptions, not the formal definitions in the standards; where a standard defines a term, its definition governs.

APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) — A structured approach to planning new or changed products and processes so they are ready for reliable production. See operational planning.

AS9100 — The current aerospace quality management system standard for design and manufacturing organizations; revision D is in use today. Expected to be succeeded by IA9100.

AS9110 / IA9110 — The aerospace quality standard for maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations. See IA9110 brief.

AS9120 / IA9120 — The aerospace quality standard for stockist distributors. See IA9120 brief.

Certification body (CB) — An accredited organization that audits and certifies management systems. Paradygm Consulting is not a CB.

Configuration management — Controlling a product's defined characteristics and its changes throughout its life.

Counterfeit part — A part misrepresented as genuine or authorized when it is not. See counterfeit parts prevention.

Critical item — An item whose characteristics need specific controls because of their effect on safety, performance, form, fit or function.

FAI (First Article Inspection) — A complete verification of the first production item (or after a significant change) to confirm the process produces a conforming product.

Flow-down — Passing applicable customer, regulatory and quality requirements on to suppliers and sub-tier suppliers.

FOD (Foreign Object Debris / Damage) — Material that does not belong in a product or area, and the damage it can cause.

Gap assessment — A structured comparison of your current system against new requirements to identify what must change. See consulting.

Human factors — Influences on people's performance, such as fatigue, workload, communication and environment, that can affect quality and safety.

IA9100 — The expected new identifier for the revised aerospace quality management system standard succeeding AS9100D. See transition guide.

IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group) — The international body that develops the aerospace quality standards and oversees the related certification scheme. The authority on IA9100 timing.

Internal audit — An audit your organization performs (or commissions) on its own system to check conformity and effectiveness.

ISO 9001 — The international quality management system standard on which IA9100 is built. See ISO 9001 alignment.

Key characteristic — A feature whose variation significantly affects product fit, performance, service life or manufacturability and so needs particular control.

Management review — Top management's periodic review of the quality system's performance and needs for change.

MSA (Measurement System Analysis) — Evaluating whether a measurement process is capable and reliable enough for its purpose.

Nonconformity — Failure to meet a requirement.

OASIS (Online Aerospace Supplier Information System) — The IAQG database of certified organizations and audit information in the aerospace scheme.

Product safety — Ensuring a product performs as designed without causing unacceptable risk of harm.

Risk-based thinking — Considering risks and opportunities when planning and operating processes.

Suspect unapproved part — A part where there is reason to doubt that it was produced or maintained in line with approved processes.

Transition audit — The CB audit that moves your certificate from one edition of a standard to the next. See certification path.

Need help with the terms in practice?

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