Using System Dynamics for Safety and Risk Management in Complex Engineering Systems

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach to modeling and analyzing organizational culture, particularly safety culture. We have been experimentally applying it to the NASA manned space program as part of our goal to create a powerful new approach to risk management in complex systems. We describe the approach and give sample results of its applications to understand the factors involved in the Columbia accident and to perform a risk analysis of the new Independent Technical Authority (ITA) structure for NASA, which was introduced to improve safety-related decision-making.