Greg and I wanted to move DES into aerospace design-build, specifically for tooling and larger defense programs. We recognized a barrier to entry could be the AS9100 D certification, a common requirement for aerospace projects. DES began investigating what were the steps necessary for AS9100 D certification.
Thankfully SCMEP had a program to support small businesses in getting AS9100 D implemented and certified through a grant. Enter Charli.
Our team has all seen quality systems over the course of our careers; they generally are a check the box system of steps, without truly representing the core of the business itself.
That’s not the way we operate.
In our first meeting, we told Charli how there is no way the QMS (which is actually a Business Management System or BMS) is going to work for our R&D type, design-build company. Simply put, everything we do is different as are all of our customers.
Charli very politely (but directly) said: “challenge accepted.” She asked a lot of probing questions about us, what we do, what motivates us, and how we conduct business. Then, she disappeared and returned with a rough draft.
Charli’s first cut at our new BMS with some basic processes accurately represented DES and most importantly what we do. We were stunned. Charli instantly gained credibility with our group…she not only is incredibly talented, but she has also applied those talents to support our organization. Charli promised she would NOT write a system or process that does not fit DES. Charli will make AS9100 D fit DES (not the other way around). She presented a BMS that makes sense.
We are in the beginning stages, however, the change within our organization is no less than transformative. Our team understands how this system is improving who, what, and how we work. We now have a system that identifies waste more quickly, increases quality and thereby increases profit. Our BMS has implemented more structure in our day to day without creating bureaucracy.
Thank you, Charli!
Yes, we have more to do. But we are far better positioned than we were over one year ago when we began this process with you. We are even further ahead than we were three months ago. On the heels of having successfully completed our first internal audit since certification, we have found additional improvements, and we are excited to embark on the cycle of continuously improving.