60 Seconds with Steve Barnes

Name

Steve Barnes – Aerospace & Automotive Operations Manager

Area(s) of responsibility

ISO/TS 16949, AS9100, PAS43, NHSS

Risk-based thinking

There are many new requirements within management system standards, for example in ISO9001, there is Understanding of Organisational Context, the Process Approach and Organisational Knowledge, new aspects that need new thinking and consideration within the system.  Another new aspect is Risk-Based Thinking and this is where, if considered effectively, greater benefits and control can be achieved.

From business considerations via tools such as SWOT and PESTLE analysis, to other functions such as customer, statutory and regulatory requirements | planning | change control | production provision | non-conformity management | competence | awareness | documented information, there are many risk areas that need to be thought through from beginning to end.

Effective Risk-Based Thinking will enable your organisation to determine the factors that could cause your processes and quality management system to deviate from planned results.  Although the risks could be ‘potential events’ or ‘consequence’, in some instances there are positive effects for your organisation when the processes are planned and managed effectively.  

From considering the risks and opportunities associated with the organisations context and objectives, to consideration of the interfaces between or interactions within the organisations processes, there will be opportunities to maximise the positive opportunities.

Non-conformity management

This is often an area where non-conformance understanding and use of tools within the process can give greater benefit to addressing those areas that are failing.  Yes there is a need to implement an immediate correction to control the non-conformance, but what should happen following this.

Understanding the depth or extent of the issue would help and adopting tools such as 5W2H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How and How many/much) and 5 WHY analysis to establish root cause, will go a long way to help resolve non-conformities and create a more robust system.  The aim of the process should be the achievement of a systemic correction, rather than thinking in terms of people and human shortfalls.

Greatest client benefit gained from certification

Management systems have been significantly re-structured and updated so that they effectively create a Plan-Do-Check-Act approach to managing the processes and activities within your business, creating a solid foundation on which to build your business for the future..

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Effective process based internal audits will actively help to identify and eventually eliminate risks from your process, creating a valuable platform for a more robust management system which performs for your business.