Sample Document Analysis
Company: NASA
Title: Agency Contingency Plan (CAP) For Space Flight Operations (SFO)
Document Type: Contingency Plan
Prepared By: Michael C. Kostelnik, and William F. Readdy
This sample document is a contingency plan that NASA has developed to aide in risk management for projects that pertain to space flight missions. It is well organized and contains a lot of detailed information, which is clearly stated. There are eight sections to the plan and five appendices. Shown below is a list of all of the sections and appendices.
SECTIONS
1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF PLAN
2. REFERENCES
3. CHANGES
4. SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS MISHAP REPORTING POLICY
5. RESPONSE TO CONTINGENCY
6. ROLES AND RESPOSIBILITIES
7. WRITTEN REPORTING
8. REFERENCE CONTINGENCY TIMELINE
APPENDICES
A) NASA MISHAP AND CLOSE CALLS, CONTINGECY CRITERIA SUMMARY AND MEDICAL CODES
B) SFO-CONTINGENCY SITUATION CHECKLIST
C) ADMINSTRATO’S SFO MISHAP INVESTIGATION BOARD APPOINTMENT CHECKLIST
D) INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND SPACE SHUTTLE MISHAP INTERAGENCY INVESTIGATION BOARD DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
E) MISHAP RESPONSE TELECONFERENCE CHECKLIST
The scope and purpose of plan section does a good job of giving an overview of the plan as a whole. It states that all mishaps must be investigated and reported in accordance with this contingency plan. The definition for a space flight operations mishap is given as any mishap, mission failure, incident, or close call that causes a major impact to space flight operations. This section refers too many of the appendices that contain more detailed information.
The space flight operations mishap reporting policy section gives information on what to report, when to report, and who will report. This section helps to identify a few responsibilities for the people who are involved in the reporting process. This section is good because it is clear and concise and is located at the beginning of the report so it is easy to find when you need information about reporting a mishap.
The response to contingency section gives a detailed step by step description of everything that needs to be done in order to follow the contingency plan. The steps of the plan are broken down into two levels. The first level gives the three main steps and the second level gives more detailed information on how to accomplish the main steps. The three main steps of the plan are as follows: Activation of plan, SFO Mishap Response Telephone Conference, and Headquarters Contingency Action Team (HACT) Telephone Conference. For more information about these steps please refer to the document. This section gives all the information in clear concise sentences, which are easy to understand. This is important because you want the people who read the plan to be able to follow it in the case of a space flight operations mishap.
The roles and responsibility section provides information for each person or agency that is involved with the contingency plan process. It clearly states what each person or agency is responsible for when the plan is activated. This section is well organized and provides a great amount of information, which is very easy to get. Shown below is a list of all of the people and agencies that are apart of the contingency plan process.
A. ADMINISTRATOR
B. ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SPACE FLIGHT
C. SENIOR AGENCY OFFICIAL IN WASHINGTON
D. HEADQUARTERS CONTINGENCY ACTION TEAM MEMBERSHIP
E. HCAT COORDINATOR
F. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS
G. ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE
H. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATO FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS
I. OSF CENTER DIRECTORS
J. OSF PROGRAM MANAGERS
K. AGENCY CHIEF HEALTH AND MEDICAL OFFICER
L. NON-OSF NASA CENTER
M. NASA CONTRACTOR
The written reporting section gives a good description of the summary report that needs to be completed 24 hours after the contingency plan has been activated. The summary report contains the following information: Description of the mishap, Effect of the mishap, Principle actions taken following the incident, and Status of disposition or resolution of the impacts resulting from the mishap.
The reference contingency timeline section gives a figure which shows the general sequence and timeline for mishap reporting. To see the figure please refer to the document.
The appendices attached to this plan contain checklist and a lot of detailed information such as definitions, contingency plan summary, and medical codes.
Overall, this contingency plan does a good job of laying out the steps and processes that need to be done in the event of a space flight operations mishap. The plan is very well organized, which makes it easy to find information you may need. It also contains a lot of detailed information about who is involved and their responsibilities when the contingency plan is activated. As a result of these good characteristics this contingency plan is a good example of a risk management document.