The ChallengeThe Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for inspecting more than 2,300 air operators and nearly 4,900 maintenance and repair facilities, even as its resources are strained by “boomer generation” retirements and the introduction of new technologies and systems. To accomplish its mission, the FAA is looking to adopt risk prevention measures, reengineering its processes so potential problems are identified and averted before they develop into hazards.
The FAA chose Booz Allen Hamilton to work with its Systems Approach for Safety Oversight (SASO) Program Office to integrate safety management systems (SMS), design new methodologies and systems, and implement the changes through training and transfer of knowledge, skills, tools and strategic communications.
Booz Allen used its technical aviation and safety experience and capabilities in business process redesign and change management to help develop new models for safety oversight based on better data collection and aggregation. A baseline review of current oversight practices and a review of the FAA's history of regulatory change showed trends such as tensions between promoting and regulating industry and evidence that regulators and industry have moved quickly to fix problems after accidents but failed to focus on preventing unanticipated problems.
Now we are helping to develop new processes and capabilities for the safety assurance system as part of the SMS. The FAA will use the safety assurance system to adapt how it conducts oversight, including measures to relieve the strain on resources by prioritizing oversight activities based on risk.
Download a PDF version of the case study entitled, "Risk-Based Safety Oversight for the Federal Aviation Administration."
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