O/R – On Request
On Request (O/R) in aerospace refers to services or equipment that are provided only when specifically requested by the user or pilot. This term is commonly used for supplemental services such as weather reports or maintenance support that are not automatically included.
OAI – Official Action Indicated
Official Action Indicated (OAI) is a term used by regulatory bodies, such as the FDA, to indicate that an inspection or review of a medical facility or product revealed significant issues requiring corrective action. This designation usually triggers formal enforcement actions.
OAS – Obstacle Assessment Surface
Obstacle Assessment Surface (OAS) refers to the imaginary surfaces in an airport’s surrounding area that help determine whether obstacles pose a risk to aircraft during takeoff or landing. These surfaces are critical for maintaining flight safety by ensuring that structures do not obstruct flight paths.
OASIS – Organisation for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards
OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) is a global, nonprofit consortium that develops, promotes, and maintains open standards for information exchange, cybersecurity, cloud computing, IoT (Internet of Things), legal data, e-commerce, and other areas of technology.
Founded in 1993, OASIS brings together a wide range of stakeholders — including technology companies, governments, academic institutions, and individuals — to collaborate on creating open, consensus-driven standards that help ensure interoperability, security, and innovation across industries.
Some of the well-known standards developed or managed by OASIS include:
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SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language): For single sign-on (SSO) and identity management.
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UBL (Universal Business Language): For electronic business documents like invoices and purchase orders.
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CAP (Common Alerting Protocol): For emergency alerts and notifications.
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ebXML (Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language): For electronic business communications.
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STIX/TAXII: For sharing cyber threat intelligence.
Key objectives of OASIS:
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Create high-quality, widely adoptable technical standards.
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Foster open collaboration between industry leaders, governments, and users.
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Promote transparency and accessibility in the development of standards.
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Support implementations of standards through open-source projects.
Membership in OASIS is open to organizations and individuals worldwide, and the consortium places a strong emphasis on openness, fairness, and intellectual property protections.
Website: www.oasis-open.org
OAT – Outside Air Temperature
Outside Air Temperature (OAT) is the ambient temperature outside an aircraft. This measurement is crucial for pilots and engineers as it affects aircraft performance, including engine efficiency and fuel consumption during flight.
OBD – On Board Diagnostics
On Board Diagnostics (OBD) is an automotive system that monitors the performance of a vehicle’s engine and other key systems. OBD systems provide real-time data and can alert the driver or mechanic to any potential problems by generating error codes.
Website: www.obd-codes.com
OBE – On-Board Equipment
On-Board Equipment (OBE) refers to the systems and devices installed in a vehicle to support its operations. In the automotive industry, OBE includes navigation systems, communication tools, and diagnostics systems that enhance vehicle functionality and safety.
OBE – Overcome by Events
Overcome by Events (OBE) is a term used in aerospace to describe a situation where circumstances have changed so significantly that a planned action or decision is no longer relevant or necessary. It often refers to situations where new developments render prior plans obsolete.
Obey
Obey in lean management refers to the practice of strictly following standard operating procedures and rules. Ensuring that processes are consistently followed helps maintain quality, efficiency, and safety in a lean production environment.
In Lean (Lean Manufacturing, Lean Management, Lean Thinking), obey isn’t about blind obedience to authority — it’s more about respecting and following standardized processes that have been carefully designed to maximize efficiency, eliminate waste, and ensure quality.
In Lean, obey often relates to:
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Following Standard Work: Workers are expected to obey the standard way of doing tasks, because standardization ensures consistency, safety, and continuous improvement.
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Respecting Visual Controls: In Lean environments, visual management tools (like kanban boards, 5S markings, signal lights) set clear rules that everyone is expected to follow — obeying these visuals keeps the flow smooth and errors low.
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Adhering to Flow and Pull Systems: Instead of working based on personal preference or guessing, team members obey the signals (like kanban cards) to produce only what’s needed, when it’s needed.
But — importantly in Lean — obedience is balanced with empowerment.
Workers aren’t just following rules blindly; they are encouraged to suggest improvements to standards through Kaizen (continuous improvement). So if a process can be improved, workers are empowered to challenge and change it — but until then, they “obey” the current best-known way.
OBI – Omnibearing Indicator
Omnibearing Indicator (OBI) is a cockpit instrument used in aviation that displays the aircraft’s position relative to a VOR station (a type of navigational aid). The OBI helps pilots determine their heading and course alignment for accurate navigation.
Objective vs. Subjective
Objective vs. Subjective in lean management refers to the distinction between data or observations based on measurable facts (objective) and those based on personal opinions or feelings (subjective). Lean practices prioritize objective data to drive improvements and decision-making.
OBRPO – Polish Tyre Industry R&D Centre
Polish Tyre Industry R&D Centre (OBRPO) is a research organization in Poland focused on innovation and development in the tire industry. It works on improving tire technology, safety, and sustainability within the automotive sector.
OBS – Omni-Bearing Selector
Omni-Bearing Selector (OBS) is a control feature in aircraft that allows the pilot to select a desired radial from a VOR station for navigation purposes. It helps pilots track their position and make necessary course adjustments.
Observation
Observation in lean refers to the process of carefully watching and analyzing workflows or processes to identify inefficiencies or areas for improvement. Observations are often conducted during Gemba walks to gather insights into real-time operations.
Observational Study
Observational Study in medical research refers to a study where the researcher observes and records data without manipulating the study environment. This type of study is commonly used to examine the effects of treatments, behaviors, or other variables on health outcomes.
Obsolescence
Obsolescence in lean refers to the state of being outdated or no longer useful, often due to advances in technology or changes in market demand. Managing obsolescence is critical to avoid waste and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently.
Obsolescence Management
Obsolescence Management in the medical field refers to the practice of managing the lifecycle of medical devices and equipment to ensure that outdated or obsolete technologies are replaced in a timely manner. This ensures that healthcare facilities use the latest and most effective tools.