How the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP) at the Intermediate Level Can Become ISO 9000 Quality Management System Compliant

Book excerpt: This thesis examines the similarities and differences between the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP) and International Standards Organization (ISO) 9000 quality management systems (QMS), and what changes must be done to bring the NAMP to ISO 9000 standards. The NAMP is naval aviation's overall guiding document that outlines command, administrative, and management relationships, and assigns maintenance policy and procedure responsibilities to the respective individuals for management. ISO 9000 is a series of international standards establishing requirements and guidelines for maintaining an organization's quality system, which focuses on prevention rather than detection This thesis will first examine ISO 9000 QMS aspects in relation to intermediate maintenance actions. Next, a plan for implementing the ISO 9000 QMS in naval aviation's organizational and intermediate maintenance activities is developed. Specifically, process maps are described for QM documentation, policies, and procedures under both the NAMP and ISO 9000, and then compared and contrasted. Then, a sample ISO 9000 quality manual for the Tool Control Program (TCP) on an intermediate maintenance activity, including how this manual can satisfy the 20 tenets of the ISO 9000 QMS is developed. Finally, recommended changes to NAMP QM procedures, processes, and policies are provided along with expected benefits naval aviation will receive if ISO 9000 is implemented.