The world of high-end technology companies is very similar to the cockpit crew environment. Although companies rarely experience catastrophic incidents resulting in death or injury, when IT systems go down or products don’t work properly, stock prices can plummet. The link between Crew Resource Management and agility is clear – it helps companies manage their performance in a VUCA environment. This article explores the key aspects of crew resource management. It will also introduce you to the concepts of Situational awareness, Communication skills, Task allocation, and Decision-making.
Situational awareness
In crew resource management, situational awareness is essential to the safety of the flight. Situational awareness involves the ability to recognize and understand all factors and conditions around an individual. We gain our perception of the environment through our 5 senses. Our brain then processes that information and converts it into a mental model of the environment. The process of perceiving is influenced by our previous experience, culture, and personal attributes.
To enhance situational awareness and crew resource management, pilots can enlist the help of passengers who are willing to take on tasks such as observing other aircraft, writing down new transponder codes, and researching suitable landing sites and restroom breaks. In this way, they can reduce their workload and maintain safety. Moreover, they can practice good crew resource management by studying instrumentation, making responsible weather decisions, and studying airport information.
Communication skills
The skill of communication is fundamental to human success. The ability to effectively communicate is essential to achieving goals, especially when stakes are high. Communication has been recognized as a CRM skill for over 15 years, and training and evaluation practices have evolved to reflect its conceptual growth. The training and evaluation process has become more formal, with communication indicators tied to specific performance objectives. To enhance the effectiveness of communication, crew members must understand the importance of effective communication.
Decision making involves the process of identifying a course of action and evaluating relevant information. It involves the exchange of information, clarifying conflicting information, and resolving disagreements. The results of effective decision making should result in a clear plan of attack. Moreover, decision-making must be timely and based on the available information. The effectiveness of communication can greatly influence the performance of crew members. Listed below are some ways that communication can be improved.
Task allocation
To effectively manage a flight, a pilot must know how to assign tasks to his or her crew. As a flight crew, you must work together to meet your goals and achieve your mission. You must know how to effectively divide your workload and communicate with your team. In addition, decision-making is essential in aviation. Regardless of the type of task, you must have confidence in your abilities to execute it. By applying crew resource management techniques, you can boost team performance.
The system uses a workload-balance measurement system that monitors the workload of individual crew members. If there is an imbalance in the workload, the CWLM system will alert you and suggest a solution. The goal is to reduce the workload of the entire crew while providing optimal crew performance. This technique may also reduce errors and fatigue. Once implemented, the system could be automated and integrated with a real-time workload measurement system.
Decision-making
Cockpit resource management (CRM) was developed by a British aviation psychiatrist. This management technique involves crew members, flight attendants, and ground personnel. NASA studied the concepts of Dr. Edwards in 1979, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mandated training and vigilance in aviation. It is important to comply with the standards of CRM. Here is a description of the concepts and the process of CRM.
First, crew resource management involves assessing all available information to make the right decision. It takes into account the available data, the context, and the goals of the situation to determine the most appropriate course of action. Second, it falls back on the procedures and training of crew members. Last, crew resource management includes the use of systems and procedures to avoid risk. And finally, it involves the use of the best possible decision from among all the options available.