Continuous Improvement of Aviation SMS

SMS #3 Element of Safety Assurance

Continuous improvement is measured through monitoring an organization’s safety performance indicators. Progress is related to the maturity and effectiveness of an SMS. Safety assurance processes support improvements to the SMS through continual verification and follow-up actions. These objectives are achieved through the application of internal evaluations and independent audits of the SMS.

Compliance of this requirement is indicated when:

• The Safety Committee has the necessary authority to make decisions related to the improvement and effectiveness of the SMS; and
• The SMS is periodically reviewed for improvements in safety performance.

This element is satisfied when the organization routinely monitors the SMS performance to identify potential areas of improvement and the outcomes of this process lead to improvements to the safety management system.

SMS Pro modules used to support this requirement

• Lessons Learned Library
• General Issue Viewer
• KPI Trend Monitor
• Safety Surveys
• Vendor Management
• Vendor Message Acknowledgement
• Public Issue Reporting

Best Practices

• There is evidence of lessons learned being incorporated into the policy and procedures;
• The organization benchmarks its SMS against other organizations and is an active promoter of SMS within the aviation industry;
• Best practice is sought and embraced;
• Surveys and assessments of organizational culture are carried out regularly and acted upon;
• For safety related services the organization requires contracted organizations not required by regulations to have an SMS; and
• Contracted organizations have the ability to participate and share information in the SMS.