Standardized Terminology is Critical for FAI Compliance
Published .
Related
- AS9100
Topics
- fai
- definitions
- terminology
- documentation
- configuration-management
- training
An organization was preparing a First Article Inspection (FAI) package for a complex assembly. During the review process, team members from different departments and supply chain tiers used terms like 'item number,' 'find number,' and 'baseline part' interchangeably, leading to confusion in documenting the build.
This lack of a shared, standardized vocabulary resulted in incorrect data entry on the FAI forms, such as confusing part-identifying numbers with location-specific find numbers on Form 1. It also led to disputes over what constituted a 'legacy part' requiring a delta FAI versus a full FAI.
Key Takeaways
- The FAI package was initially rejected by the customer due to inconsistencies between the forms and the design documentation.
- This delayed product acceptance and required significant rework to align all documentation with the specific definitions prescribed by the governing aerospace standard.
- This lack of a shared, standardized vocabulary resulted in incorrect data entry on the FAI forms, such as confusing part-identifying numbers with location-specific find numbers on Form 1.
Common Mistakes
- This lack of a shared, standardized vocabulary resulted in incorrect data entry on the FAI forms, such as confusing part-identifying numbers with location-specific find numbers on Form 1.
- Incorrect or incomplete Form 1 part number traceability.
- Treating a design change as a full FAI re-accomplishment instead of a partial/delta.
Best Practice
Organizations must ensure all personnel involved in the quality and manufacturing process share a common understanding of key terms as defined by applicable standards. Establishing an internal glossary or providing focused training on standard-specific definitions (e. g.
Reflects the recommended position based on community discussion and expert review.
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