By Gary Rice
NADEP NEWS Editor

On Jan. 18, the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) completed its semi-annual International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 registration with flying colors. ISO 9000 is an international standard that requires a third party auditor to evaluate the business practices of an organization. It is a system listing regulations that state the scope of what is required for an organization to operate under that system.

“This assessment was the most successful one we’ve had so far at Cherry Point,” David Dudley, principal auditor for ABS Quality Evaluations of Houston, Texas, said. “I’m pleased to say that NADEP is ready to progress to the next level.”

In performing his audit, Dudley’s purpose was to determine whether NADEP’s certificate of compliance with ISO standards, initially issued in 1999, should be continued, studied further, or withdrawn. In reaching his findings, he examined a wide range of records and documents, interviewed personnel and evaluated the work they perform, and determined what job areas need tight controls to assure quality work. In five days, he interviewed about 35 depot employees.

“I talked to employees at all levels,” Dudley said, “from the managers at the top to the people who sweep the floors, including contractors. My focus was to compare employees’ actual work practices with documented procedures that govern their jobs.”

“All aspects of our day-to-day business has to be reviewed and analyzed,” Dr. Bruce Laviolette, 6.2.6 Competency Head and ISO 9000 Director, said. “This process enables us to improve and make good management decisions. We are showing a lot of maturity in our system, and following ISO standards enables us to focus more on our customer’s needs. Certification tells users of depot services how well we conduct our operations here. ISO compliance makes sure everything is going correctly, which is good for business and helps us attract new customers. It puts us on a level playing field with our competitors and is very important when it comes to BRAC.”

The primary requirements of ISO are simple good business practices written in general form that can be applied to all procedures and operations. They help an organization to develop controls that will ensure consistency and quality in everyday practice. The results of an audit are also designed to provide an organization with opportunities for improvement. It gives management the ability to change the direction of the organization in terms of quality product and customer satisfaction.

“From the commanding officer to the labor force, it takes the involvement of everyone to make ISO work and succeed,” Dudley said, “and based on what I’ve seen, the depot not only succeeds in its business operations, it excels.”

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Photo Caption: In the NADEP Pneumatics Shop, Building 137, Jan. 18, David Dudley, ABS Quality Evaluations principal auditor, audits pneudraulics systems worker John Woodard as he performs an overhaul of a pneumatic engine starter. (Photo by Dykie Whitfield)