The Intelligent Application of Quality Management to Smallsat Programs

Smallsats are inherently more risky ventures than the traditional space mission. Concept, design, production and integration schedules tend to be much more demanding and the smaller budgets are severely scrutinized. Quality Assurance and Product Assurance are often targeted to keep the final costs in check. It is a common misconception that quality is difficult to quantify. Costs are often perceived to be large for increasingly shrinking benefits. There have been numerous attempts to establish the true cost of quality by simple breakdowns of process and non-conformance cost and many provide a good estimate of the cost, particularly in organizations with mature quality systems. The cost/benefit ratio or true value of quality is often in dispute; this paper will explore the real benefits to a space missions program of an appropriately tailored quality system. This paper also argues that one of the major keys to the success of a Smallsat program is the management of risk and the intelligent application of Quality Management principles. As with all engineering projects, normal risk management principles apply to Smallsat missions: risks must be clearly and comprehensively identified, risk mitigation strategies must be formulated and the risks must be managed through the life of the project. Prudent use of Quality Management can be an invaluable tool during the risk management process. The guiding principal must be to match the quality approach to the requirements; this implies that some requirements such as reliability and spacecraft life may require the usual rigor associated with normal high reliability applications. Other areas of the spacecraft design may claim qualification by heritage and possible delta qualification campaigns. Reduction of process in Quality Management is the easiest target for project managers but simple reduction must only be undertaken with an assessment of the risks. Challenging the independent decisions of the Material Review Board, for example, may save some dollars in the short term but decisions based on quality criteria always endure. With intense cost and schedule pressures an independent quality voice is essential. The application of good Quality Management principles also applies to parts selection and there is a tendency to use Commercial Off The Shelf parts because of their enticing cost savings. An assessment of the true costs, quality and reliability of the parts has to be made to assess any inherent risks. With intelligent application, Quality Management can be a powerful and cost effective tool for risk management on a Smallsat program