Using Turtle Diagrams with AS9100

What is a turtle diagram?

“Turtle Diagram” is a great tool for visualizing process characteristics.  Processes are made up of inputs, outputs, criteria, etc., and a Turtle Diagram visualizes a process to assist in their effective execution and improvement. The diagram looks like the body of a turtle, with components such as body, legs, head, and tail.

Benefits of Using Turtle Diagrams

Turtle Diagrams allow you to look at the entire process, as well as the communication and mapping of interrelated processes with relevant functions and levels within the organization. Turtle Diagrams can help both management and the workforce better understand the process. The diagram helps layout the framework in an easy-to-follow fashion and can identify gaps in the organization’s structure.

Is there an ISO requirement to develop Turtle Diagrams?

There may not be a requirement specifically for the turtle diagram, but the turtle diagram may in fact help each organization meet the requirements for organizations to determine and manage numerous linked activities to enable the transformation of inputs and outputs.

Turtle Diagrams can help both management and the workforce better understand the process. The diagram helps layout the framework in an easy-to-follow fashion and can identify gaps in the organization’s structure. When the diagram is laid out the organization can further develop measures for better efficiency.

• AS9100 is based off of ISO 9001- there are several clauses within the requirements that may benefit from using a turtle diagram. These clauses are:
• 4.1 Context of the Organization
• 4.2 Interested Parties
• 5.2 Policy
• 6.1 Risks and Opportunities
• 7.2 Competence
• 7.3 Awareness
• 7.4 Communication
• 8.4 External Providers
• 8.7 Nonconforming Parts
• 10.2 Nonconformity and Corrective Action
• 10.3 Continual Improvement

Download a Turtle Diagram Word Document

So how do you use a Turtle Diagram?

The Turtle Diagram is made up of 6 areas, all surrounding the process, which is considered the turtle body. The 6 areas are: inputs, materials & equipment (what), support processes, procedures & methods (how), outputs, competence skills & training (whom), and finally performance indicators (results).

Process: The center of the diagram is titled “process”. This box addresses the value adding step, and any sequence that falls within the scope of the process. A process may involve many employees and multiple departments within your organization.

Inputs: This category should define the details of the actual process including documents, materials, information, requirements, etc.

Outputs: Should include details of the process such as products, documents, etc.

Criteria: Support material includes procedures, instructions, specific methods, etc.

Whom: This section is dedicated to finding all the employees whose roles within the organization have the responsibility to value adding steps within the process.

What: This section is dedicated to finding the resources needed to perform the process.

How: This section is dedicated to identifying any specific documents within the management system that tell the people responsible for completing the value-added steps how to successfully complete them within the organization’s best practice.