AS9100 Clause 5 – Leadership

Clause 5 of AS9100D focuses on leadership, emphasizing the critical role of top management in the successful implementation and maintenance of a Quality Management System (QMS) in an aerospace organization. This clause is divided into three sub-clauses: 5.1 Leadership and Commitment, 5.2 Policy, and 5.3 Organizational Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities.

5.1 Leadership and Commitment Top management is expected to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the QMS by:

• Taking accountability for the effectiveness of the QMS
• Ensuring the quality policy and objectives are established and compatible with the organization’s context and strategic direction
• Integrating the QMS into the organization’s business processes
• Ensuring resources are available for the QMS
• Communicating the importance of meeting customer, statutory, and regulatory requirements
• Ensuring that the QMS achieves its intended results
• Engaging, directing, and supporting persons to contribute to the effectiveness of the QMS
• Promoting continuous improvement
• Supporting other relevant management roles to demonstrate leadership as it applies to their areas of responsibility

5.2 Policy Top management is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining a quality policy that:

• Is appropriate to the purpose and context of the organization, supporting its strategic direction
• Provides a framework for setting and reviewing quality objectives
• Includes a commitment to meet applicable requirements and continually improve the QMS
• Is communicated, understood, and applied within the organization
• Is available to relevant interested parties

5.3 Organizational Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities Top management must ensure that responsibilities and authorities for relevant roles are assigned, communicated, and understood within the organization. They should:

• Assign responsibility and authority for ensuring that the QMS conforms to the requirements of AS9100D
• Assign responsibility and authority for reporting on the performance of the QMS and any needed improvements to top management
• Ensure the establishment of a process for engaging with external providers
• Assign responsibility and authority for ensuring the integrity of the QMS during changes to the organization’s processes

In summary, Clause 5 of AS9100D emphasizes the importance of strong leadership in implementing and maintaining an effective QMS. Top management must take responsibility for the QMS, establish a clear quality policy and objectives, assign roles and responsibilities, and ensure that the system is aligned with the organization’s strategic direction and context.