Developing and Sharing

Case Studies as a Key Component of

Knowledge Sharing

Harold M. Bell, PMPAdvanced Planning and Analysis Division

Office of the Chief Engineer

February 9, 2010

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Used with Permission

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“If I have seen farther, it is by standing on the shoulders of

giants,” Sir Isaac Newton in a letter to Robert Hooke in

1676.

Agenda

1. Developing case studies as part of the learning process

A. BuildingB. Peer ReviewC. Publishing

2. Case Studies—Discovering Good ExamplesA. Availability across NASA

Chief Engineer—Featured Cases Goddard Space Flight Center—NASA Case Studies Jet Propulsion Laboratory-- STrategic Assessment of Risk and

Technology (START) and other local libraries Johnson Space Center—Case Files ESMD Risk/Knowledge Management Case Studies Safety and Mission Assurance—Monthly Safety Message and NASA

Safety Center Cases of Interest and System Failure Case StudiesB. Opportunities for expansion

APPEL Multimedia Cases and Video Gallery Columbia Accident Investigation Board and Return to Flight

1. Developing Case Studies

A case study provides:1.A narrative description of actual events2.Used to create the opportunity for conversation, problem analysis, and virtual decision makingAn effective case study:1.Transfers specific knowledge2.Places the participant in a position to think through the choices faced by the decision maker(s)3.Enables a paradigm shift or new way of viewing approaches to solving problems—instills an alternative way to think

Case Study description paraphrased from NASA Case Study Methodology Document, GSFC, with special thanks to Dr. Ed Rogers.

Developing case studies (cont):1. Building(*)

Objectives:– Leaves important issues unresolved;– Allows for multiple levels of analysis;– Captures a tension between courses of action;– Generates more questions than answers;– Fosters decision-making thinking.

Step 1 – Pick a targetStep 2 – Define the parameters of the CaseStep 3 – Thorough background researchStep 4 – Interview key participantsStep 5 – Identify learning pointsStep 6 – Prepare draft

– Set the context– Frame the issues – provide backstory– Analyze the problem

(*) Paraphrased from NASA Case Study Methodology Document, GSFC, with special thanks to Dr. Ed Rogers.

Developing case studies (cont):

Step 7 Circulate the DraftStep 8 Test case with local audience

(*) Paraphrased from NASA Case Study Methodology Document, GSFC, with special thanks to Dr. Ed Rogers.

3. PublishingStep 9 Create teaching notes and an epilogueStep 10 Validate, publish, and roll out the case

2. Peer Review(*)

NEN link to Chief Engineer Case Studieshttp://nen.nasa.gov/portal/site/llis/home/

The Goddard Libraryhttp://library.gsfc.nasa.gov/public/cspub.htm

Jet Propulsion Laboratoryhttp://start1.jpl.nasa.gov/caseStudies/caseStudies.cfm

Johnson Space Centerhttps://lldb.jsc.nasa.gov/index.cfm?event=CaseFiles

ESMD Risk/Knowledge Management Case Studieshttps://ice.exploration.nasa.gov/ice/site/km/cs/

Office of Safety and Mission AssuranceMonthly Message

http://nsc.nasa.gov/KMO.mvc/SFCS

NASA Safety Centerhttp://nsc.nasa.gov/Home.mvc

Opportunities for Expansion

• Office of the Chief Engineer adds Case Studies:– Chief Engineer features a new case study each quarter– APPEL plans to initiate about 10 new case studies annually– Centers strongly encouraged to recommend topics and drafts– Professional staff available through APPEL for development, editing and

formatting.

• NASA Safety Center adds Case Studies– Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance features a monthly message and

presents at the Administrators ViTS– NSC prepares case studies by drawing from mishap reports and industry

events

• Centers and Mission Directorates create knowledge sharing materials as well

Opportunities for Expansion (cont)

Case Studies do not always have to be in written form

– APPEL Multimedia Case Studies and Video Gallery

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/appel/knowledge/publications/case_studies.html

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/appel/knowledge/multimedia/index.html

– Graphic and Video interactive presentation

Matt Mellis Columbia Accident Investigation Example Follows

On January 16 2003, Columbia was impacted by a piece of foam suspected to have separated from the external tank at 81 seconds into its launch.

Columbia was traveling at Mach 2.46, at an altitude of 65,860 feet. The foam was calculated to have hit the Orbiter at 700 – 800 feet per second

Insulating Foam Separates from Bipod Ramp andImpacts Left Wing of Columbia

Insulating Foam Separates from Bipod Ramp andImpacts Left Wing of Columbia

The Bipod Ramp

The Bipod Ramp

Orbiter Leading Edge Full Scale Tests

External View of RCC Panel 8 Test

Orbiter Leading Edge Full Scale Tests

Opportunities for Expansion (cont)

OCE and OSMA jointly Issued a letter to encourage NASA leadership to support our employees in documenting lessons

and increasing knowledge sharing across the workforce. It is a “must do”.

http://nen.nasa.gov/nenfileupload/files/lessons_learned_ltr_from_Mike_R.pdf

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Importance of developing and sharing Case Studies as key component of Knowledge Sharing

Synopsis: This presentation identifies the myriad of sources in developing Case Studies and Lessons Learned in NASA, some of the databases where they are stored and best practices for developing materials to ensure quality of product and discovery of materials.

Abstract: The need to leverage the experience gained (both successful and less than successful) has never been more important to NASA as major new robotic and manned space flight initiatives loom large in our future. Knowledge sharing is often founded on well written, high value lessons learned from NASA’s robotic and human spaceflight missions. Lessons and related case study work play a significant role in retention of historical knowledge and serve to bridge across generations especially as many older employees retire. NASA needs to continue to document specific major operational lessons learned in such a way that the lessons learned can serve as a source to facilitate training for the next generation of space workers. We have unparalleled access to data not only with NASA but from other Government Agencies and scientific databases. This session will emphasize the importance of timely preparation and submission of high quality lessons learned and case studies, sources of information for creation, submission, archival, and identification of best practices for broad discovery of the material once made available for use. The session will also include some thought on OCE’s consideration for adding an annual data call to all NASA centers to develop approximately 10 additional cases per year specifically focused on, but not limited to, human space flight knowledge sharing and professional development.