2009 SMS Pilot Project (SMSPP) Analysis - FAA

MSMS team to promote for future projects and for the D&M industry to consider. As the pilot
project progressed and more companies got involved in SMS development and implementation
the MSMS team began to learn what worked best and what did not work as well. Key lessons
learned identified in the pilot project include the following:
• Schedules and data expectations were more opptimistic than anticipated, therfore, data
received was less than expected. This was primarily due to adjusting the MSMS team and
pilot project participants to learning about SMS and how the system should be developed.
• In addition to the orientation sessions led by the FAA, it was very beneficial for the FAA
team members and the D&M industry to take SMS training. This provided a foundation
of knowledge that enabled all parties involved to be on a level playing field when
discussing concepts of SMS.
• After providing the SMS framework to the pilot project participants the MSMS team
received many comments that resulted in a shorter and more streamlined version of the
framework. The framework went from 143 to 49 elements. This collaboration of
resources by the FAA and the pilot project participants proved to be positive and valuable
when developing cohesive documents.
• The MSMS team learned that maintaining a core group of presenters was the best option
when presenting the pilot project. The presenters learned from previous sessions and
maintained a consistent message.
• The pilot project orientations were three days long and included many presentations. The
team found that providing frequently used definitions or terms saved the attendee’s time
and reduced confusion.
• Due to lack of FAA and company personnel unavailability the MSMS team was unable to
launch each company into the pilot as quickly as originally intended. FAA management
made the decision to launch a company every two or three months. The delayed launches
resulted in less data received and did not allow the companies time to progress to the
optimum level of maturity before the end of 24 month pilot project. Additionally
scheduling a meeting was a difficult task because everyone had conflicting priorities and
schedules.
Best practices
Based on information received during the pilot project the MSMS team has identified some best
practices for future projects as well as for companies interested in engaging in SMS. Best
practices have been summarized as either internal to the “FAA” or external to the “Industry”:
FAA Best Practices
• Use of Sharepoint for data sharing and internal collaboration with the FAA Participant
Management Team (PMT) and with the pilot project participants
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