PDSS announces a new version of our comprehensive Critical Parameter Management program to match the vocabulary, application context, and documented standards of the aerospace and defense industries found in AS9103. The new training and mentoring program is called Key Parameter Development and Management (KPD&M).
The Aerospace Standard 9103
The Aerospace Standard 9103 (AS9103), called
Variation Management of Key Characteristics, is designed to drive the improvement of manufacturing processes through adequate planning and effective management of Key Characteristic variation. The Key Characteristic focus is intended to improve confidence for part features whose variation has a significant influence on end-product form, fit, performance, service life and manufacturability. AS9103 was developed by the
SAE G-14 Americas Aerospace Quality Standards Committee (AAQSC), who is responsible for creating and maintaining technical reports related to quality management systems and supporting quality-related processes.
What is a Key Characteristic?
The AS9103 states: "
In general, any feature or process whose variation will have a significant effect on the performance of the characteristic for its intended use may be a key characteristic. For example:
- Dimensional features - thickness, diameter, length, etc.
- Chemical concentrations
- Time
- Pressure, speed, rates, temperature, etc."
It is important to note that AS9103 focuses on parts and materials! It does not fully address tracing in-depth functional relationships upward into the subassembly, subsystem or system levels of performance - it focuses on parts, materials and the processes that make them. It does attempt to relate the Key Characteristic to the performance it enables in the product.
PDSS' KPD&M Program: Beyond Key Characteristics of AS9103
PDSS' KPD&M program goes well beyond AS9103's standards for managing variation of Key Characteristics on parts, materials and their processes. The KPD&M program addresses the complete application story, where the relationships of the part or material, its manufacturing process, and the subassembly, subsystem and system are identified, documented and assessed for stability, robustness and capability under nominal and stressful life-cycle conditions, which include packaging, distribution, installation, use, repair, maintenance and discontinuance.
PDSS' KPD&M program contains a complete set of tools, methods and best practices that enable all steps within not just the Key Characteristics process defined in AS9103, but the entire Key Parameter Development and Management process that encompasses all elements of a product and its life-cycle. PDSS' approach is comprehensive across all levels and phases of technology, product and production process applications where Key Requirements, Parameters and Characteristics are needed. PDSS' KPD&M program is based upon the principles of Systems Engineering, Design for Lean Six Sigma (DFLSS), and software tools that enable the application of KPD&M on any system, regardless of complexity.
KPD&M Derived from PDSS' CPM Program
Chapters 8 through 13 of
Design for Six Sigma in Technology and Product Development provide comprehensive guidance for creating a Critical Parameter Management process, or, as we tailor the vocabulary for the aerospace and defense industry, Key Parameter Development & Management (KPD&M) process. The 6 chapters are entitled:
Chapter 8: Introduction to Critical Parameter Management (CPM)
Chapter 9: The Architecture of the CPM Process
Chapter 10: The Process of CPM in Product Development
Chapter 11: The Tools and Best Practices of CPM
Chapter 12: Metrics for Engineering and Project Management within CPM
Chapter 13: Data Acquisition and Database Architectures in CPM
Upon request, we can send you KPD&M versions of these chapters for your review so you can see how the materials are oriented to the aerospace and defense industry context and vocabulary. Please reply to this email newsletter with your request.
-Not in the aerospace or defense sector? Please consider forwarding this newsletter to your colleagues in those industries. Thank you!
