Importance of a Shared Technical Glossary and Knowledge Base
Published .
Applicable Standards
AS9102Related
- AS9100
Topics
- definitions
- glossary
- knowledge-management
- training
- communication
- coc
- fai
- compliance
A quality organization observed frequent, repetitive questions from various departments regarding the precise definition of industry terms, standard clauses, and acronyms. Inquiries covered material types, compliance directives, and specific requirements within standards, such as the criteria for a "lapse in production" or what constitutes a valid Certificate of Conformance (CoC). This pattern indicated a recurring gap in shared organizational knowledge.
Without a centralized, controlled source for definitions, personnel relied on ad-hoc queries, leading to inconsistent interpretations and potential risks. Misunderstanding the scope of a standard (e. g.
Key Takeaways
- This lack of a common lexicon created inefficiencies, as senior personnel spent time repeatedly answering the same fundamental questions.
- The ambiguity increased the risk of non-conformance due to miscommunication between internal functions or with suppliers.
- Without a centralized, controlled source for definitions, personnel relied on ad-hoc queries, leading to inconsistent interpretations and potential risks.
Best Practice
Establish and maintain a controlled internal glossary or knowledge base of key terms, acronyms, and standard interpretations relevant to the organization's products and processes. This ensures consistent language and understanding across all functions, reduces repeat inquiries, and strengthens compliance with standards like AS9100 and AS9102.
Reflects the recommended position based on community discussion and expert review.
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