NASA Lessons Learned: Managing Risk Assessment In New Program Plans

PLLS Database Entry: 1146

Lesson Info

• Lesson Number: 1146
• Lesson Date: 01-nov-2001
• Submitting Organization: KSC
• Submitted by: Gena Baker

Subject/Title/Topic(s):

Managing Risk Assessment In New Program Plans

Description of Driving Event:

New safety initiative programs that focus on workforce risk reduction, collateral damage reduction, or increasing maintainability of human error in Shuttle Processing must have an effective risk assessment plan in place. Failure to practice and comply with the risk management process in a useful form creates the inability to validate risks at the end of various life cycles. Significant and tangible background data such as reports, surveys, forecasts, studies, constraints, surveillance, PRACA, schedules, benchmarking, and metrics are necessary to demonstrate risk reduction.

Lesson(s) Learned:

Failure to have an effective risk management plan (in a useful format) imposes the inability to validate risks. Failure to capture rational behind risk assessment (before, projected and after) as well as data to validate can lead to nebulous results. An incomplete project proposal is never to be considered for project selection.

Recommendation(s):

Do not consider a proposal as a candidate for selection if it does not have sufficient background data to support the significance of the project/study.

During the proposal phase ensure that the data (rational etc) has been collected prior to proceeding. Look at system risks as well as localized risks to prevent a risk reduction in one area to increase risk in another part of the system. Provide coaching around this subject to assist parties in accomplishing task and getting intended results.

Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:

N/A

Applicable NASA Enterprise(s):

• Human Exploration & Development of Space

Applicable Crosscutting Process(es):

• Communicate Knowledge
• Provide Aerospace Products & Capabilities: Approval

Additional Key Phrases:

• Human Factors
• Policy & Planning
• Risk Management/Assessment

Approval Info:

• Approval Date: 18-mar-2002
• Approval Name: Gena Baker
• Approval Organization: KSC
• Approval Phone Number: 321-867-4261