Speaking Risk With Our Project Managers

Dustin Nix; John Fellows; John Hall

doi:10.56094/jss.v54i3.64

Authors

Dustin Nix APT Research
John Fellows APT Research
John Hall APT Research

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v54i3.64

Keywords:

risk, communication, project manager, MIL-STD-882, INCOSE

Abstract

Effective communication between the system safety engineer and the project manager (PM) is an essential characteristic of good risk management in a robust system safety program. However, these two disciplines often use similar terms with disparate meanings that can lead to sub-optimal technical or programmatic outcomes. MIL-STD-882E defines “risk” as “a combination of the severity of the mishap and the probability that the mishap will occur”. The Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, 6th Edition, defines “individual project risk” as “an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on one or more project objectives”.

It is incumbent upon the system safety professional to clearly communicate safety-related issues, hazards, risks and concerns using language most likely to be understood by the PM to ensure that he or she has the requisite information to make a sound programmatic decision. This paper explores the discrepancies between project risk management and safety risk management standard processes that hinder clear communication and can drastically impact program performance. We present methods to consider that will improve understanding between the system safety professional and the PM, along with two framework approaches for integrating safety and project risks.

Author Biographies

Dustin Nix, APT Research

Dustin Nix is a systems safety engineer and project manager with APT Research, Inc. in Huntsville, Alabama. He has been responsible for various areas of safety-related work in APT’s business base, including project management and serving as an instructor for APT’s System Safety and Software Safety professional development courses. His primary role is system safety support to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). He holds a master’s degree in missile systems from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and recently acquired a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

John Fellows, APT Research

Colonel (Retired) John Fellows is the chief executive officer of APT Research, Inc. in Huntsville, Alabama. He has more than 32 years of U.S. Army and industry experience in research and development, defense acquisition, program management, and operational risk and safety. Prior to joining APT in 2015, he was the vice president for programs, DoD Agencies & Commands for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He also managed multiple ACAT 1D weapons and radar systems for the Army and Missile Defense Agency during his military career. Heholds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in management from Florida Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He is Defense Acquisition, level 3 certified and a PMP.

John Hall, APT Research

Dr. John Hall is the technical director of APT Research, Inc. in Huntsville, Alabama. He has more than 33 years of military, technical and executive experience, with 15 years providing executive-level technical and management support within the safety, quality and mission assurance disciplines. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a master’s degree in industrial engineering (IE) from California Polytechnic State University, and a Ph.D. in IE from Mississippi State University.