2009 SMS Pilot Project (SMSPP) Analysis - FAA

Figure 3-1 illustrates the four levels of SMS.
Figure 3-1: Levels of Implementing SMS
4
Continuous
Improvement
3
Proactive
Process
2
Reactive
Process
1
Planning &
Organization
3-5 Pilot Project Assessment and Oversight
The MSMS team established a process for performing initial and incremental assessments of the
organizations’ development of their SMS procedures and processes. The assessments involved
reviewing the required deliverables when they completed each level. The MSMS team reviewed
the deliverables and assessments with the organizations and made suggestions based on their
knowledge of SMS.
While performing these initial assessments, the MSMS team found that the specific stages in the
recommended SMS framework did not always fit the needs of each participant. As a result, some
D&M organizations created alternative stages that were more efficient. This point emphasizes
the importance of working with each company and understanding that if the intent of SMS
framework has been satisfied, the deliverable should be acceptable.
The assessment process in Figure 3-2 depicts how the MSMS team received SMS deliverables.
It also illustrates how each company progresses to the next phase of the pilot project.
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