The knowledge path to mission success: overview of the NASA PBMA-KMS

Abstract

Mission success depends on proper integration of safety, risk management, and assurance processes throughout the project life-cycle. In the current government acquisition environment great emphasis is being placed on innovative contracting approaches that involve cooperative agreements, performance-based contracting, and contractor use of best practices. Thus, far fewer prescribed standards and specifications are involved in government acquisition today as compared to the early 1990s. Additionally, the shift from rule-based assurance management to knowledge-based approaches poses a separate set of challenges as clearly underscored in government and industry accident assessments and mishap investigations that followed a costly streak of launch vehicle and spacecraft failures in the late 1990 time frame. In response to these challenges the NASA Office of Safety & Mission Assurance began development of the Process Based Mission Assurance Knowledge Management System (PBMA-KMS) in mid 1999. The PBMA-KMS is a user-friendly, web-based system designed to support life-cycle safety and mission success management. This paper describes the PBMA-KMS functionality, operation, and plans for future growth. Aerospace professionals are encouraged to use the PBMA-KMS by participating in discipline oriented work groups, and contributing best practices, lessons learned, and ideas for future functional enhancements.