This Standard is primarily intended to apply to new parts, but can also be applied to parts currently in production. The Standard shall be applicable to all production processes that influence the variation of Key Characteristics.

This Aerospace Standard is designed to drive the improvement of manufacturing processes through adequate planning and effective management of Key Characteristic variation. The Key Characteristic focus is intended to improve confidence for part features whose variation has a significant influence on to end- product form, fit, performance, service life and manufacturability.