How do you review and audit aerospace engineering projects? (original) (raw)

Last updated on Nov 13, 2024

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Aerospace engineering projects are complex, multidisciplinary, and often involve high stakes and risks. Therefore, they require rigorous review and audit processes to ensure quality, safety, compliance, and performance. In this article, you will learn how to review and audit aerospace engineering projects, what are the main standards and methods, and what are the best practices and challenges.

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• Reviewing and auditing aerospace engineering projects involves a systematic and rigorous process to ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and projects requirements. I think is importante check some points for example we have define audit objectives and scope, we know relevants standards regulation (FAA, EASA, AS9100 or AFAC). Desing review: It’s important to all audit team verify desing requirements compliance, evaluate desing calculations and simulations. Testing and validation review: In this item we can support on quality methodologies because we need verify testing procedures and protocols, we review certification and qualification testing.

• Audit vs Examen : quelles différences ? Récemment, j'ai eu l'opportunité de participer à la préparation d'un audit interne ISO 9001. Cette expérience m'a permis de mieux saisir la distinction entre un audit et un examen dans un projet. Alors que l'examen est généralement un suivi régulier de l'avancement, des livrables et des critères internes, l'audit, lui, offre une évaluation plus indépendante et approfondie de la conformité aux normes. Un point clé que j'ai retenu : impliquer toutes les parties prenantes dès le début de l'audit est essentiel pour garantir que toutes les exigences sont bien respectées et que l'ensemble du processus se déroule de manière fluide.

Review Types and Phases

Throughout the lifecycle of an aerospace engineering project, different types of reviews can be conducted, depending on the purpose, scope, and level of detail. For example, a Conceptual Design Review (CDR) evaluates the feasibility, functionality, and compatibility of the proposed design concept and its alignment with the project objectives, requirements, and constraints. A Preliminary Design Review (PDR) assesses the completeness, consistency, and maturity of the preliminary design and its readiness for detailed design and development. Additionally, a Critical Design Review (CDR) verifies that the detailed design meets all the requirements and specifications and that the project is ready for fabrication, integration, and testing. Furthermore, a Test Readiness Review (TRR) confirms that the test plan, procedures, equipment, and resources are adequate and available for conducting the planned tests. Additionally, a Test Review Board (TRB) evaluates the test results, findings, anomalies, and recommendations to determine if any corrective actions are needed. An Operational Readiness Review (ORR) ensures that the project is ready for operation and that all operational requirements are in place. Finally, a Post-Implementation Review (PIR) analyzes the project outcomes to compare them with the expected or planned values.

• Les phases d'examen dans un projet d'ingénierie : un levier clé pour la réussite Lors d'une revue de conception, j'ai pu constater l'importance de ces étapes pour évaluer la faisabilité et l'alignement du projet avec les exigences techniques et objectifs. Les phases comme la revue de conception (CDR) ou préliminaire (PDR) sont essentielles pour valider la maturité du projet et éviter des complications futures. Mon conseil : vérifier chaque détail technique dès le début garantit un processus fluide et un projet solide.

Audit Types and Phases

Audits can be conducted on aerospace engineering projects to monitor and improve the project's quality management system and processes, verify and validate the project's compliance with external standards, regulations, or contractual obligations, examine the effectiveness, efficiency, and consistency of the project's processes and procedures, evaluate the quality, functionality, and reliability of the deliverables, assess the performance, integration, and interoperability of the systems and subsystems, as well as evaluate the project's proposal, scope, objectives, requirements, and risks. Audits can be conducted at different phases of the project lifecycle before signing a contract or agreement (pre-contract audit), during the execution phase (in-process audit), or after completion (final audit). Such audits can help identify any gaps or weaknesses in the project as well as provide valuable insights for improving customer satisfaction.

• Les audits : un outil clé pour la gestion de projet Lors d’un audit en cours de fabrication, nous avons vérifié la conformité aux normes et la qualité des livrables. Ces audits, réalisés à différentes phases du projet, sont essentiels pour assurer la cohérence des processus et prévenir les risques. Un point clé que j'ai retenu : un audit régulier permet d’identifier rapidement les écarts et d’assurer la réussite du projet.

Standards and Methods

Aerospace engineering projects can be guided and supported by various standards and methods. For example, ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems, while ISO 9100 is the international standard for quality management systems for the aerospace industry. Additionally, AS9100 and EN 9100 are the American and European versions of ISO 9100 respectively, and JISQ 9100 is the Japanese version. Furthermore, SAE ARP4754 is a standard for guidelines for development of civil aircraft and systems, while SAE ARP4761 is a standard for guidelines and methods for conducting safety assessment processes on civil airborne systems and equipment. Additionally, NASA Systems Engineering Handbook provides principles, processes, and practices for conducting systems engineering activities, while IEEE 1012 provides a framework for system, software, and hardware verification and validation. Finally, IEEE 1028 is a standard for software reviews and audits.

• L'importance des normes en ingénierie aérospatiale Dans un projet, la norme ISO 9001 de garantir la qualité des systèmes de gestion. La normes comme ISO 9100 et AS9100 sont essentielles pour assurer la sécurité et la conformité dans l'aérospatiale. Un point clé : bien connaître les normes comme la SAE ARP4761 permet d'anticiper les exigences de sécurité dès la conception.

Best Practices and Challenges

Reviewing and auditing aerospace engineering projects can be challenging and demanding, yet rewarding and beneficial. To ensure success, it is best to plan and prepare review and audit activities in advance and communicate them clearly and timely to the project team and relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, established standards, methods, and procedures should be followed for conducting the activities along with appropriate tools and techniques for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data. It is also important to involve the right people and resources in the review and audit activities while managing expectations of different parties involved. Adapting to changing needs or circumstances of the project is essential, as well as coordinating with the project team and relevant stakeholders. Finally, evaluating results objectively while providing constructive feedback, recommendations, or corrective actions is necessary for successful review and audit processes.

• Pratiques exemplaires en audit de projet Lors d’un audit, la planification en amont et la coordination avec les parties prenantes sont cruciales pour assurer le succès. D’après mon expérience, anticiper les besoins et impliquer les bonnes personnes dès le départ permet d’éviter les obstacles et de garantir des résultats efficaces.

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