Quality Versus Safety?

Complex space, aeronautical and nuclear programs began to appear in the second part of the twentieth century and are associated with the emergence of sophisticated management and quality methods. The design, fabrication and operation of space systems, nuclear power plants and commercial aircraft require robust, high-performance quality systems. These quality systems are designed to achieve levels of quality which are in line with the criticality of every component (hardware or software). This involves risk analysis and hazard study techniques in particular. Based on this criticality assessment, suitable quality assurance plans are then defined and applied as each of these components are developed. Application of the policy has doubtlessly been a contributing factor to the impressive safety results achieved during the second half of the twentieth century, in areas such as nuclear safety, certification of transport aircraft and space launch safety regulations. However, applying these provisions has not prevented dramatic accidents from occurring on proven systems: the two space shuttle accidents and the failure of a Proton-M rocket in July 2013 are alarming examples that remind us that conformance is not a one-size-fits-all solution to every problem.