What Are Goals in Aviation Safety Programs?
Understanding Safety Goals
Safety goals articulate the long-term vision for an aviation SMS, outlining the desired safety culture and management values for airlines, airports, and other providers. They serve as the guiding “banner” for the organization, influencing objectives, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and employee perceptions. Aligned with oversight agency standards like ICAO, FAA, and EASA, well-crafted goals are measurable, meaningful, and enduring. SMS Pro’s Safety Goals and KPI Tracking System streamlines goal development, saving 20–30 hours/month and reducing compliance costs by $10,000–$50,000 annually, as seen in implementations at regional operators.
Importance of Safety Goals
The way safety goals are written is critical for several reasons:
- Foundation for Objectives: Goals directly inform annual safety objectives, tracked via SMS Pro’s KPI Trend Monitoring.
- Basis for KPIs: Objectives derived from goals drive KPIs, monitored with Risk Impact Trending Charts.
- Employee Perception: Clear, inspiring goal language shapes how staff interpret the SMS, supported by Safety Newsletters.
- Regulatory Alignment: Goals must reflect oversight agency language, ensuring compliance with Safety Risk Management standards.
Effective goals foster a proactive safety culture, as demonstrated by airports increasing hazard reporting by 56% with SMS Pro’s tools.
Steps to Create Safety Goals
Creating safety goals involves a structured process to ensure they are relevant and compliant:
These steps, facilitated by SMS Pro, ensure goals are actionable, as seen in airlines achieving compliance within 12 months.
Goals vs. Objectives
Safety goals are enduring, rarely updated visions (e.g., “Foster a proactive safety culture”), while objectives are annual, specific targets (e.g., “Increase hazard reporting by 20%”). Each goal supports multiple objectives, which drive KPIs. SMS Pro’s KPI Trend Monitoring links goals to objectives, ensuring alignment and measurability. This structure:
- Maintains long-term vision with stable goals.
- Enables annual adjustments via objectives.
- Supports compliance through Risk Analysis Charts.
This approach reduces audit findings by 30%, as evidenced by FBOs using SMS Pro’s tracking tools.
What Our Customers Say
“SMS Pro’s Safety Goals and KPI Tracking System clarified our vision, cutting audit findings by 30%.”
— Krista Best, Safety Manager, Regional Airline
“The KPI Trend Monitoring tool aligned our goals with objectives, saving $12,000 in compliance costs.”
— Fred Startz, Airport Safety Director
“SMS Pro’s Safety Newsletters communicated our goals effectively, boosting our safety culture.”
— Kellie N. Roby, FBO Safety Coordinator
“As a Canadian operator, SMS Pro’s tools ensured our safety goals met ICAO standards seamlessly.”
— Canadian Operator
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