Certain accreditations open up a world of opportunities. Take AEO, for instance. Becoming an Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) allows Australian businesses to tender for Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) projects. TfNSW undertakings can provide years of rewarding employment for your business, but how do you know if you’re ready to become an AEO?

In this article, we’ll outline the essentials a business must have before they’re ready to begin the AEO accreditation process.

What is an Authorised Engineering Organisation?

Beginning in 2013, the Asset Standards Authority (ASA) launched the Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) program to enhance engineering governance.

Today, just a few short years later, AEO is widely recognised across Australia, both in the private and public sector. The Authorised Engineering Program has been credited with helping to deliver and maintain NSW rail network assets with greater efficiency and safety.

Achieving AEO status positions organisations to compete for work through the TfNSW procurement process strategically. AEOs prove themselves to be competent through all project phases, from design and testing to construction. 

How to Become an Authorised Engineering Organisation

Becoming an Authorised Engineering Organisation can give your company an edge, but how do you know if you’re ready? The program was designed to manage the competence of engineering staff internally and manage the assurance of their services concerning the asset lifecycle of NSW Transport Assets. 

ASA requirements expect the following activities to be in place. Let’s take a look at the 11 engineering management capabilities involved in the program.

1. Engineering Management Process and Planning

The TfNSW wants to see that AEOs have plans that demonstrate how they consistently carry out their services, even in the absence of relevant processes.

2. Management Requirements

AEOs must show engineering management capabilities that include traceability and fulfilment throughout the service delivery cycle, including the following plans:

• Requirements management plan
• Requirements database
• Stakeholder engagement plan
• Stakeholder register
• Stakeholder engagement meeting records
• Stakeholder needs’ statement.

3. Service or Solution Engineering

Another sign that you’re ready for AEO is that you can demonstrate relevant management activities that support the work you plan on undertaking. Topics include interface management, integration management system, system architecture, sustainable design, RAM management, human factors integration and electromagnetic compatibility.

4. Assurance, Verification and Validation

TfNSW wants to see the proof that companies deliver quality products and services, so AEOs need processes and policies that assure the following:

• Relevant processes are followed
• Requirements are met
• The final product or service meets every intended purpose.

5. Configuration Management

An engineering product may fall into many different hands during development. Can your business ensure the integrity of the product over the system life cycle? TfNSW wants to see a cohesive documented system, configuration items that are known and recorded, and appropriately controlled changes during production.

6. Competence Management

Next, let’s look at the way your engineering staff exhibits appropriate knowledge and skills for executing activities designed for specific jobs. An AEO should be able to show its competence for knowledge capture, storage and redeployment.

7. Stakeholder Management

How does your organisation maintain the stakeholder’s involvement within the scope of authorisation? AEO requires evidence of various organisational processes, plans that align with stakeholder management and records of relevant activities (meeting minutes, for example).

8. Resources Management

Competence in resources management involves the assurance that all tangible and intangible resources are in place. Possible evidence of this requirement could include an engineering intranet home page with links to standards, links to TfNSW and ASA standards or standards briefing notes or emails.

9. Supplier Management

An Authorised Engineering Organisation demonstrates arrangements that allow management of acquisitions from both internal and external supplies.  

10. Performance Measurement and Evaluation

When an engineering company creates quality products and services, TfNSW wants to know the results are replicable for the future. Therefore, AEOs must show the relevance of the selected performance framework to business objectives, the recreational behind the adopted measurement baselines and measurement models and methods.

11. Continual Improvement Management

An AEO shouldn’t be limited to maintaining the status quo; it should aim for continual improvement. Hence, your organisation must demonstrate systematic identification, objective evaluation of business needs and best industry practices, and prioritisation using established criteria.

Next Steps for AEO Accreditation

Here at Compliance Council, we’ve helped multiple organisations of various sizes and scope to achieve AEO status. Our tried and tested methodology assists companies in achieving their AEO promptly. It’s an extensive process, but we remove unnecessary stress and uncertainty on your path to more excellent opportunities.

Request a proposal to learn more about how we can help your organisation achieve AEO status. We look forward to working with you.