Will Boeing's new "Quality Transformation" program fly?

Boeing is revamping quality inspection processes and plans to eliminate up to 900 quality inspector jobs over the next two years. The plan involves mechanics doing more checks of their own work, rather than using inspectors to verify accuracy. In addition, automated processes or tools make mechanics' work simpler, more accurate, and faster, further reducing the number of inspections needed. Another key to the program is using sampling rather than inspecting every job for accuracy.

In December, however, Boeing's sampling process indicated that one job category failed to meet its 95% standard, with only 93% of the sampled tasks being done correctly. Additionally, some unionized quality inspectors are concerned that quality is being compromised and that Boeing may be pressuring inspectors to make it look like the new processes are doing the job even if they aren't.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-move-toward-fewer-inspectors-questioned-following-quality-control-audit/Links to an external site.

https://www.heraldnet.com/business/boeing-revamps-quality-control-more-high-tech-fewer-humans/Links to an external site.

1. Where did Boeing get its inspiration for the new quality approach?

2. How does Process Monitoring (Boeing's sampling process) work? What happens if a job fails to pass the quality test?