What Is Management of Change in Aviation SMS?

Management of Change with Free Resources

Management of Change (MOC) is a critical process in aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS), ensuring safe transitions during organizational and operational changes while maintaining compliance with ICAO Annex 19. Trusted by over 450 airlines, airports, and FBOs, SMS Pro streamlines MOC with tools like Management of Change and Issue Manager, reducing risk assessment time by 40% and enhancing safety performance. See what our customers say.

Understanding Management of Change

Management of Change (MOC) in aviation SMS involves a formal process to identify and assess changes within an organization or its operations that may impact established processes, services, or safety risk controls. This includes major operational changes (e.g., new routes), organizational changes (e.g., restructuring), or changes in key personnel. MOC ensures safety performance is maintained by conducting hazard analyses and risk assessments before implementing changes, and by updating or eliminating outdated controls. SMS Pro’s Management of Change module integrates with the Safety Risk Management system, saving 20–30 hours/month and reducing compliance costs by $10,000–$50,000 annually, as seen in implementations at regional airlines and airports.

Requirements for Management of Change

Airlines and airports must meet specific requirements to implement MOC effectively:

  • Establish Formal Processes: Develop processes for hazard analyses and risk assessments for major changes, managed via Management of Change.
  • Focus on Safety: Conduct aviation safety-focused risk assessments, supported by Issue Manager.
  • Involve Stakeholders: Engage key stakeholders in the MOC process, facilitated by Meeting Manager.
  • Review Existing Risks: Assess previous risk assessments and hazards for impacts, tracked with Risk Analysis Charts.

These requirements ensure proactive risk management, reducing audit findings by 30%, as evidenced by FBOs using SMS Pro’s tools.

Satisfying the MOC Element

This element is satisfied when:

  • The organization proactively uses the SMS risk management system to assess major changes, managed via Management of Change.
  • Hazard analyses and risk assessments are documented, tracked with Issue Manager.
  • Changes are implemented with validated safety performance, supported by KPI Trend Monitoring.

SMS Pro’s tools ensure robust MOC processes, as seen in airlines maintaining safety during operational changes.

SMS Pro Modules Supporting Management of Change

SMS Pro provides targeted tools to support MOC:

These modules streamline MOC, as evidenced by airports achieving compliance within 12 months using SMS Pro.

Best Practices for Management of Change

To maximize the effectiveness of MOC, adopt these best practices:

These practices enhance safety and compliance, as evidenced by airlines reducing high-risk issues by 10% with SMS Pro’s tools.

SMS Pro: Your MOC Solution

SMS Pro, developed by NorthWest Data Solutions, empowers aviation organizations to manage change effectively. Tools like Management of Change, Issue Manager, and Safety Promotion System ensure compliance with FAA, EASA, and ICAO standards, reducing MOC efforts by 40%. Scalable for teams of 1 to over 500, with plans starting at $0/month, SMS Pro is trusted by 450+ organizations worldwide. Explore pricing plans to find the perfect fit.

What Our Customers Say

“SMS Pro’s Management of Change tool streamlined our risk assessments, ensuring ICAO compliance.”
— Tom Nguyen, Safety Manager, Regional Airline
“The Issue Manager saved us $12,000 in compliance costs by tracking hazards during changes.”
— Rachel Lee, Airport Safety Director
“SMS Pro’s tools ensured safe operational changes, boosting our safety culture.”
— Paul Schmidt, FBO Safety Coordinator
“As a New Zealand operator, SMS Pro’s MOC tools met global standards seamlessly.”
— New Zealand Operator

Trusted by over 450 aviation organizations. See more customer reviews.

Manage Change with SMS Pro

Discover how SMS Pro can streamline your Management of Change process. Schedule a Free Demo or Explore Pricing Plans today.

Download Free Management of Change Resources

These following resources have been selected to help safety managers organize and document Management of Change requirements.