What is Quality Management in Aerospace?
Quality management in aerospace, often referred to as a Quality Management System (QMS), covers all processes designed to ensure that every aerospace product meets strict safety and reliability standards.
It spans all stages of the lifecycle:From the design phase, technical reviews and simulation tests confirm that each component meets specifications and shows no anomalies. In manufacturing, strict procedures, trained operators, and controls at every step of assembly are essential. Each part is traced from supplier to finished product to ensure compliance.
Before delivery, rigorous ground and flight tests verify that the aircraft performs according to safety criteria. Any non-conformity must be corrected before certification.
To achieve this, aerospace manufacturers must comply with strict quality standards. The global benchmark is ISO 9001 (quality management systems), complemented by EN 9100, which is specific to aerospace. EN 9100 introduces product safety requirements unique to the sector. It includes configuration management for precise tracking of specifications and changes, control of special processes such as non-destructive testing, calibration, or the manufacturing of critical parts, and it considers human factors and training to ensure personnel are competent in safety-critical roles.
Quality management also requires continuous improvement, drawing on feedback from every project to strengthen flight safety over time.
The Role of PDM (Product Data Management) in Quality
So, how does PDM support quality management in aerospace? While quality relies on strict procedures, it also requires robust tools for managing technical information. This is where Product Data Management (PDM) software plays a key role.
PDM serves as a single source of truth for all technical data. Instead of scattering information across multiple folders or communication channels, everything is centralized and directly accessible to the relevant teams. This reduces errors linked to outdated files, saves time, and streamlines operations.
A robust PDM system tracks all technical changes made to a product. Every modification is logged, recording who made the change and when, ensuring that teams always work on the correct version. This rigorous change management is essential for maintaining compliance with specifications and standards throughout the project.
By centralizing data and updates, PDM ensures full traceability. The lifecycle of a part or product can be tracked in detail: which versions succeeded one another, which changes were approved, and when. In the event of an audit, the necessary documents and information are readily available.In short, PDM becomes a digital ally of quality management in aerospace: it ensures that technical information is controlled, reliable, and properly shared.
Our PDM Solution Aletiq: A Strength for Aerospace
To put these best practices into action, innovative software solutions are available. Our Aletiq PDM is one such example: a product data management platform designed for multiple industries, including aerospace. Aletiq centralizes all technical data and enforces strict control of modifications (validation workflows, approval circuits, signatures, release processes, change requests, etc.).
It is no coincidence that Aletiq has been highlighted as a strong point during client quality audits, helping them comply with ISO 9001 and EN 9100 standards. Beyond managing technical information and standardizing processes across the product lifecycle, Aletiq also supports continuous improvement, risk assessment, and preventive action. By adopting a PDM tool like Aletiq, aerospace manufacturers can aim for excellence in quality while boosting operational efficiency.
Interested in our solution? Request a demo and see how data centralization and traceability can strengthen your quality management processes in aerospace.
You can also read our articles on quality management in other sectors:
• Quality Management in the Automotive Industry
• Quality Management in Industry
