SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

What Is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) in Aviation SMS? - With Free KPI Resources

Posted by Tyler Britton on Apr 26, 2023 6:00:00 AM

What Is a Key Performance Indicator?

Answering the question, what is a key performance indicator, is not exactly as straightforward as it may seem.

This is because key performance indicators, known commonly as KPIs, have multiple uses in aviation safety management systems (SMS).

Most obviously, as “performance” in the name implies, KPIs are data metrics (i.e. “Indicators”) used to track “performance” in aviation SMS.

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Topics: Key Performance Indicators

Signs of Good KPIs in Aviation – With Free KPI Resources

Posted by Tyler Britton on Apr 19, 2023 6:01:00 AM

What Is a Key Performance Indicator in Aviation SMS?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are data metrics used to track performance in aviation safety management systems (SMS). This “performance” was not intended to measure only safety, but also quality and financial performance as well.

Understanding what is a key performance indicator is an essential component of being able to identify signs of good KPIs.

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Topics: Key Performance Indicators

Types of Operational Risk for Airline SMS

Posted by Tyler Britton on Apr 12, 2023 5:41:00 AM

What Is Operational Risk for Airline SMS

Operation risk is a primary concern of airline safety management systems (SMS). Just as in traditional safety programs, modern SMS implementations will revolve around identifying hazards and controlling these safety events.

In a formal aviation SMS implementation, there are two inter-connected components:

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

Difference Between Reactive, Proactive and Predictive Risk Management in Aviation SMS

Posted by Tyler Britton on Apr 5, 2023 6:11:00 AM

Why You Need to Know the Difference Between Reactive, Proactive, and Predictive Risk Management

Aviation safety managers and employees who understand the real difference between reactive, predictive, and proactive risk management activities gain considerable benefit for generating good safety performance.

The fact is that these three types of risk management strategies are often misunderstood and/or confused.

Can you describe the difference?

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

What Are the 4 Pillars of SMS?

Posted by Doug Walker on Mar 29, 2023 9:56:00 AM

Four Pillars or Components Make a Tough Topic More Digestible

When the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required a formal safety management system (SMS) implementation by aviation service providers in 2006, they didn't simply pass a ruling. ICAO offered guidance material for SMS implementation in Document 9859, now in the third edition.

All aviation safety management professionals should read Document 9859 at least once. It is surprisingly easy to read.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

What's the Difference Between Hazards and Risks in Aviation SMS

Posted by Tyler Britton on Mar 22, 2023 6:02:00 AM

Most Common Misunderstanding in Aviation Risk Management

We run across this time and time again in aviation risk management programs: safety management teams confuse hazards and risks, and consequently also confuse risks and consequences.

To be frank, misunderstanding the difference between these three things can have far-reaching repercussions on your ability to practice risk management in your aviation safety management system (SMS).

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

What Is Aviation Safety?

Posted by Christopher Howell on Mar 15, 2023 6:13:00 AM

Understanding Safety Terms Remains Important

We write every day about topics relating to aviation safety management systems (SMS), yet we have always taken for granted that you know what is aviation safety?

Deep down, most of us have an idea about safety. We can logically expand a safety definition to encompass the aviation industry. Yet this takes work to consider the broad implications. I've taken a few moments to discuss what is aviation safety since I've never defined it in the past.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

What Are Safety Objectives in Aviation SMS – With Examples

Posted by Tyler Britton on Mar 8, 2023 5:23:00 AM

Why Safety Management Gets Safety Objectives Wrong

Somewhat surprisingly, in aviation safety management systems (SMS), safety objectives are often quite misunderstood. Experienced safety management may have a slightly misguided understanding of safety objectives.

New safety management will simply ask, what are safety objectives?

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Topics: 1-Safety Policy

Difference Between Hazards, Risks & Control Measures in Aviation SMS

Posted by Christopher Howell on Mar 1, 2023 5:19:00 AM

Why You Need to Know the Difference Between Hazards, Risks, and Controls

Aviation management personnel and employees who truly understand the differences between hazards, risks, and different types of controls are more effective at preventing accidents and reducing costs related to preventable accidents and incidents.

Furthermore, hazards and risks are most commonly misunderstood by safety managers who need to either create or review their company's hazard and risk registers.

Can you easily tell another employee the difference between a hazard and a risk?

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

How to Justify Severity of Risk Assessments - Best Practices

Posted by Christopher Howell on Feb 22, 2023 5:33:00 AM

What Are Components of Risk Matrix

During the issue management life-cycle, safety managers commonly conduct initial and residual risk assessments on reported issues. In most cases, the risk is a combination of both:

  • Probability (frequency), and
  • Severity (consequences).
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

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