The value of any aviation service provider rests on its ability to adapt quickly by making informed and effective decisions. But management's decision-making power is only as strong as its underlying data.
Weak data erodes confidence, creates delays, or worse – it could lead to misguided judgments and fatal accidents.
Alternatively, a robust LOSA data management program provides a foundation for:
LOSA data management choices are decisive business issues. For any aviation service provider considering a LOSA program, these are the stakes:
Revenue growth and operational efficiency help aviation service providers compete efficiently in the marketplace. An effective LOSA data management solution has the ability to integrate data from multiple sources, including your aviation safety management system (SMS). With accurate, timely data, aviation safety professionals can tailor procedures that respond to inefficient and unsafe workflows.
Ignorance is not where you want to be. Ignorance can sink profits and undermine stakeholder confidence. A strong LOSA data solution provides both speed and flexibility: speed via rapid access to real-time data; flexibility that allows you to immediately benefit from LOSA observations in dashboard views.
One of the biggest barriers to LOSA benefits is inadequate access to actionable data. Many months are often required. Integrating multiple data perspectives into a single dashboard view allows safety professionals to monitor and manage safety concerns. A quality LOSA management solution facilitates effective statistical analysis and efficient decision-making.
Aviation safety professionals must be at liberty to focus on what they do best – reduce risk to "as low as reasonably practical" (ALARP). The right LOSA data management tools deliver the information your professionals need when they want it – and allow them to initiate change in policies and procedures that will reduce operational risk.
Regardless of whether you have an established LOSA program, or are starting a new program, you will certainly benefit from a modern LOSA software solution. Spreadsheets are not efficient in managing audits and subsequent risk management processes. A LOSA auditing solution allows your organization the ability to easily collect LOSA observations and focus on subsequent risk management activities.
Managing a LOSA program is not a trivial exercise. Aviation service providers are expected to endure considerable expense in collecting observation data. After all, they are paying a highly qualified employee to stand around and observe 80 to 120 routine operations.
How the data is collated and presented to management is very important. After all, marketing is everything.
At the low end, employees will benefit from increased safety awareness. At the other extreme, managers may identify inefficient procedures that have been costing the organization considerable sums. You may benefit from a LOSA training course. LOSA training may offer some insight that your team may not have considered.
If you need an aviation safety software company to modify your existing LOSA program, give us a shout. Or if you need auditing database tools, learn whether this web-based auditing solution will add value to your operations.
Last updated April 2024.
CAPT. John E. Schumick (left), pilot, CAPT. Kent B. McKimmel, co-pilot, and MASTER SGT. Edgar E. McGaha, sit in the cockpit of a KC-10 Extender aircraft during a flight over Antarctica... image by PICRYL