Author:

This Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) is written by "e-Tools sub-team" chartered by Americas Aerospace Quality Group (AAQG). In December 1998, the Aerospace Industry had established the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) with the purpose of achieving significant improvements in quality and reductions in cost throughout the value stream. AAQG, with representation from Aerospace companies in Americas, is one of three sectors of the IAQG. AAQG is working towards the same common goal of IAQG.

AAQG, sponsored by SAE, has agreed to take responsibility for the technical contents of this ARP.

Background:

Global aerospace industry is increasingly moving towards standardization. The industry has a common supply base that is closely linked with each other. Additionally, being a regulated industry, the industry members collaborate, review, and approve various documents and manage "Knowledge". With this background, the Americas Aerospace Quality Group (AAQG) recognized a strong near-term need to have a common collaborative software tool that could be used by entire aerospace industry.

This document defines the requirements for a software solution (e-Tool) for the aerospace industry. It is expected that one or more software solutions meeting this ARP will be developed and this software will be a common vehicle for the aerospace industry to collaborate various quality documents and activities among customers and all tiers of suppliers. Any software meeting the requirements of this ARP will ensure exchange of information to any other software that meets the requirements of this ARP. This ARP requires a common building block (ebXML OASIS/UNCEFACT) that will allow sharing of data between collaborating parties regardless of the software product that is being used.

"Collaboration" occurs when two or more parties exchange information to achieve an agreed business objective. It is also recognised that the collaborative process does not change when one puts an `e' in front of it. Essentially, electronic facilitation (or "e") is an enabler for efficient collaboration.

• `e' facilitates operation of the collaboration

• `e' integrates standardised steps and processes into a workflow for a shared "business process"

• `e' opens new opportunities for process redefinition and refinement

• `e' facilitates efficient data storage and retrieval

Advantages of an Industry-Standard Common e-Tool:

• Share cost of standardized software solution to perform common quality assurance (QA) processes.

• Reduce non-value added time and costs associated with existing processes

• Reduce new product development risks through dramatic improvements in visibility of activities and their status

• Identify and instantly implement `best practices' and solutions across the supply chain network

• Eliminate quality escapes caused by

▹ Missed requirements flow down

▹ Currency of information

▹ Conflicting requirements

• Enhance transfer of quality related data throughout the supply chain

Purpose of This Document:

The Requirements Specification ARP may be used as the basis for the establishment of the e-Tools project requirements, detail design, and testing.

The purpose of this Requirements Specification is to define requirements and establish an evaluation matrix to evaluate and compare candidate software solutions (or e-Tools).