Chancen und Risiken von standardisierten Arbeitsanweisungen für die Fertigung von Bauteilen für die Aerospace Industrie

Abstract

This thesis explores how a standardized process for creating Work Instructions (WIs) in aerospace manufacturing can be designed to function effectively in both paper-based and digital environments, with the goal of improving efficiency, clarity, and overall quality. The motivation for this study stems from the observed variety of formats and inconsistent structures currently used in WI documentation, which frequently lead to inefficiencies, increased error rates, and limited potential for digital integration. The objective was to derive concrete design recommendations for a standardized WI system that meets the stringent regulatory requirements of the aerospace industry while remaining practical and user-friendly in daily operations. In addition to an empirical mixed-methods approach—comprising qualitative interviews with senior management and two large-scale surveys conducted among WI creators (engineers) and users (shop floor personnel) within an Austrian aerospace company—the work is grounded in a thorough literature review. Relevant contributions from the fields of production documentation, knowledge management, and standardization (including works by Feldmann & Lang, Dombrowski et al., Xie, and Haug) were analysed to bridge theoretical concepts with operational best practices. The findings clearly indicate that the absence of standardization negatively impacts manufacturing quality and efficiency. At the same time, there is strong consensus across stakeholder groups on the benefits of a unified approach, particularly with regard to onboarding, clarity, and digital readiness. While WI users tend to prefer visually structured formats (e.g., Format E), creators emphasize the importance of technical precision and auditability (e.g., Formats A/C). Based on these insights, a three-tiered documentation model was developed, incorporating a hierarchical structure, a PowerPoint-based template, defined roles and responsibilities, and a digital storage and document management concept. The study concludes that standardization should not be implemented as a rigid framework, but rather as a flexible structure capable of accommodating diverse needs. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders early in the process to gather input, foster shared understanding, and increase acceptance of the proposed standard. The resulting model offers aerospace organizations a practical foundation for implementing efficient, future-proof WI creation and management processes applicable to both digital and paper-based production environments.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Roland Braune (Supervisor)