Curriculum Path

Case Study: FAA Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Instructional Design | Compliance & Risk Mitigation Training

The Challenge

The Air Traffic Organization (ATO) requires a robust safety culture to manage the National Airspace System. The challenge was to create a comprehensive briefing that translates dense federal safety regulations into actionable strategies for stakeholders, ensuring they understand their role in preventing catastrophic failures.

The Instructional Approach

I structured this two-part briefing to move from theory and history (Part 1) to practical application and decision-making (Part 2).

  • Anchored Instruction: Used the Deepwater Horizon disaster as a cautionary case study [02:57] to illustrate the real-world consequences of "systemic failures in risk management" [04:19].
  • Conceptual Modeling: Visualized the four pillars of SMS—Safety Policy, Safety Promotion, Safety Risk Management (SRM), and Safety Assurance [10:55]—to help learners categorize different safety functions.
  • Defining Culture: Developed specific standards for a "Just Culture," "Learning Culture," and "Flexible Culture" [06:29] to move the training beyond technical skills and into behavioral change.

Instructional Features

Comparative Analysis

Clarifying the distinction between SMS (the system) and SRM (the process) to correct common industry misconceptions [12:10].

Stakeholder Strategies

Providing concrete actions, such as "promoting transparency over financial concerns," to empower learners at all levels [08:10].

Closed-Loop Feedback

Explaining the relationship between SRM and Safety Assurance to show how data proactively prevents accidents [12:44].

Why This Project Stands Out

This project demonstrates my ability to handle highly technical, regulated content and make it accessible to a wide audience of stakeholders. It highlights my skills in:

  • Case Study Integration: Using narrative storytelling to reinforce technical requirements.
  • Complex Systems Thinking: Breaking down the "National Airspace System" into manageable components (ATM, CNS) [12:21].
  • Compliance Training: Delivering mission-critical information that meets FAA standards while maintaining learner engagement.

Tools & Metadata

  • Subject Matter: Aviation Safety & Federal Regulations.
  • Target Audience: Air Traffic stakeholders, agency peers, and industry partners.
  • Key Outcome: Empowering participants to effectively engage in SRM panels and identify hazards before they lead to incidents [13:42].

 

Instructional Design | Procedural Workflow and Role-Based Simulation

The Challenge

Moving beyond high-level policy, stakeholders needed to understand the technical "triggers" for safety reviews and their specific behavioral expectations during a Safety Risk Management (SRM) panel. The goal was to standardize a 5-step process across diverse operational teams.

The Instructional Strategy: The "DYAD" Framework

To make the SRM process memorable and actionable, I utilized a structured procedural breakdown:

  • The 5-Step DYAD Process: I transformed the technical manual into a clear, 5-phase workflow: Describe the System, Identify Hazards, Analyze Risk, Assess Risk, and Treat Risk [07:01].
  • Role-Based Persona Training: To ensure accountability, I defined five distinct roles (Change Proponent, Facilitator, Panel Member, SME, and Observer) [08:08], explaining the unique responsibilities and ethical expectations for each.
  • Scaffolding Complex Decision-Making: By providing examples of what does require SRM (procedural changes) [03:23] versus what does not (facility redline drawings) [04:29], I used non-examples to refine learner mental models.️ Key Learning Features

Feature

Instructional Purpose

Trigger Identification

Teaches learners to recognize "Nas Changes" [02:32] and "Existing Safety Issues" [02:55] as the formal start of the process.

The SRM Risk Matrix

Models the data-driven approach used to evaluate the severity and likelihood of hazards [11:44].

Soft Skills for Technical Panels

Addresses the "human element" by providing strategies to overcome obstacles like political pressure or group dynamics [14:16].

 Instructional Impact

This module highlights my ability to design for performance-based outcomes. Learners don't just "know" the policy; they are prepared to:

  • Prepare effectively: Reviewing pre-panel materials and coming prepared with targeted questions [12:08].
  • Communicate ethically: Socializing safety requirements with management to ensure they are attainable [13:28].
  • Contribute to Documentation: Providing effective, accuracy-focused comments during the document review period [16:41].

Why This Project Works for ID

This project proves proficiency in Gagné’s 9 Events of Instruction, specifically:

  1. Stimulating Recall: Linking the new SRM process to activities learners are "already doing" [06:16].
  2. Providing Learning Guidance: Using the "DYAD" acronym and role definitions to scaffold the complex 5-step process.
  3. Enhancing Retention: Providing practical "Strategies for Success" [15:20] to ensure the training translates to real-world panel performance.