Preventive Action Procedure AS9100 | AS1260

Preventive Action Procedure AS9100

The Preventive Action Procedure AS9100 describes methods for identifying potential nonconformities in the company’s Aerospace Quality Management System (QMS) and eliminating or reducing the likelihood of their occurrence. Preventive actions may be implemented at any point in time for any process, depending on the nature of the activity. This procedure may apply to any company process. (6 pages, 920 words)

The difference between “corrective action” and “preventive action” is reactive versus proactive. If the company is taking action in response to an event that has occurred (is in the past), it is taking corrective action. If the company sees the potential for a problem – bear in mind, it hasn’t happened, but it could – and it acts to ensure that the problem doesn’t occur or works to reduce the likelihood of the problem occurring, it is taking preventive action.

Preventive Action AS9100 Responsibilities:

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for using information generated during data analysis to develop and initiate preventive actions appropriate to the nature of the potential nonconformities identified.

The Quality Improvement Team (QIT) is responsible for investigating potential nonconformities and developing preventive actions where the risk to the company is high.

Managers are responsible for initiating preventive actions.

Preventive Action AS9100 Definitions:

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) – Evaluation technique for testing design of products in which failures are assumed to occur; systematic method of examining a process prospectively for possible ways in which failure can occur, to redesign the process so the new model eliminates the possibility of failure.

Preventive Action – Measures put in place to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of a potential systemic nonconformity occurring.

Prospective – Relating to, or effective in, the future.

Quality Improvement Team (QIT) – A cross-functional team chartered with the task of identifying the cause(s) of potential nonconformities and implementing actions necessary to eliminate or reduce their likelihood.

Preventive Action Procedure AS9100 Activities

• Preventive Action-Background
• Risk Analysis-Evaluating the Need for Preventive Action
• Determining Actions Required and their Implementation
• Preventive Action Review