AEROSPACE REPORT NUMBER: TOR-2009(8591)-11, DESIGN ASSURANCE GUIDE (04 JUN 2009)

AEROSPACE REPORT NUMBER: TOR-2009(8591)-11, DESIGN ASSURANCE GUIDE (04 JUN 2009)., A large percentage of failures and anomalies that occur in the implementation phase of space programs are attributed to errors or escapes originating in the design process. Across the aerospace industry there are seminal but separate/independent efforts underway to develop approaches to discover, prevent, and correct engineering process errors or escapes earlier in the life cycle where these problems are less expensive or even possible to correct. A sufficient, foundational set of design assurance requirements and processes that are analogous to product quality assurance do not exist for engineering design assurance. In the manner of the quality management system defined in AS9100 (Revision C), it is believed necessary to adapt these process concepts earlier in the design and development process [1]. The cross-discipline, multi-company Design Assurance Topic Team developed a definition of design assurance, identified key design assurance enterprise attributes and program elements, and formulated a risk-based design assurance process flow, which can serve as a roadmap for aerospace programs’ design assurance activities.