Delegate Newsletter Volume 6, Number 1

Business Process Mapping

Having trouble following Transport Canada's certification process for your aeronautical products? Have we got a deal for you! 

We are in the process of dealing with various designer/manufacturers on developing a flowchart diagram that lays out how an aeronautical product moves through the certification process from "program go" to issuance of a Transport Canada Type Certificate.

The process started with Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Transport Canada working together with a facilitator to outline how the certification process was presently working between the two entities and how ideally it should work. Some of the surprising things we found out were that, in some cases neither side understood who was responsible for what and therefore either nobody was doing a particular task, or conversely both sides were doing the same task, causing redundancy.

After several joint mapping sessions, we came up with an engine certification flow chart that showed the roles and responsibilities for both sides, the specialists involved, the major milestones and the deliverables at each stage of the process. The map itself is a 36" by 72" drawing and is an integral part of the P&WC procedures. It is a subject on internal training courses and the PWC /Transport Canada example is used in a training video for P&WC's umbrella company, United Technologies Corporation's corporate Business Process Improvement activity. Transport Canada and P&WC use the map to guide their joint work process. Since I am a new Project Manager in Aircraft Certification, I depend on the map heavily to determine what needs to be done next and who is responsible. It's magic!

The map is not, however, static, as both Transport Canada and P&WC recognize that as we use the map more frequently and on more projects, error or potential deficiencies may be identified. These are defined as "turn backs". On a periodic basis P&WC and Transport Canada review the turn backs and revise the map accordingly or change internal procedures accordingly. The current map is version 4.

Please click on image to enlarge

Although the process map developed in conjunction with P&WC is specific to P&WC as an entity and is used with P&WC, a generic version of the engine process map was also produced, recognizing that there are other engine manufacturers in Canada.

The FAA and JAA have been briefed on the process map developed with P&WC. This activity of briefing the FAA and JAA was considered necessary since most of P&WC products eventually go on to receive FAA Type Certificates as well as Type Certification by European Authorities. As a result of these briefings, FAA and JAA procedural requirements have been added to the process map. Having the FAA and JAA processes as an integral part of the map is important because it promotes early involvement by the validating authorities and reduces the delay in issue of their type certificates.

Since the process has worked so well, Transport Canada is now working with Bombardier, Bell Helicopters and CMC Electronics to develop maps tailored to their certification activities.
The Engine Certification process map is currently at Revision 4 and is considered mature. Transport Canada's Project Management will be briefing their Senior Management, engineers and maintenance and manufacturing specialists on the engine process map in the next few months. The intention is to add a small module to the Aircraft Certification Specialty Course dealing with the process map.

So, don't be surprised if, in the near future your delegate organization becomes part of "The Process".

For more information on Business Process Mapping, you can contact Judy Padbury at padburj@tc.gc.ca or phone (613) 941-2547.

 

Date Modified: 2009-02-24

Top of Page

Important Notices