<< I guess it can be summed up in the statement, "Standard Operating
Procedures must specifically force CRM behavior through required
steps." >>
Hi Robert (and everyone else out there),
As a graduate research assistant back at George Mason University, I worked
on a research project which might be of interest to you. The project (which
is still underway) focuses on the proceduralization of "traditional" CRM. At
the risk of oversimplification, I interpret "traditional" CRM to be training
in which captains are told, "Listen to your crewmembers" while crewmembers
are told, "Speak up" (granted, I realize this is not all that CRM entails,
but in "layman's terms," it's pretty much what it's all about).
Proceduralize CRM (and make a few other modifications) and you've got ACRM
(the A is for "advanced") ("ACRM is a behavior-focused intervention rather
than an attitude-focused intervention" Business & Commercial Aviation, Nov.
1996, p.63). This proceduralization is accomplished by changing company
hardware (such as checklists and quick reference handbooks (QRH)), and
modifying SOPs (standard operating procedures-- the way things are done) to
support these changes.
Now, to put it in your words-- when (and if) crews simply follow company
rules by utilizing said checklists, QRHs, etc., "Standard Operating
Procedures [will] specifically force CRM behavior through required steps."
Unfortunately, I have been "out of the loop," with regard to the research
project, since I graduated (I'm flying now), and I am not fully aware of
recent developments. The current research assistant, Jeff Hansberger, is
also a member of this group and might be able to provide further insight (I
don't mean to put you on the spot here, Jeff!).
Check out Business & Commercial Aviation (April, 1996, p.64-68 and
November, 1996, p.60-64) for more talk of this new approach to CRM training.
I believe back issues are available at the AWGNET Homepage
<<http://www.awgnet.com>>.
I was unable to attend, but I understand ACRM might have been on the agenda
at the CRM workshop in Charlotte, NC back in the fall. I'm sure many of the
attendees are members of our group, and they can provide more details.
Happy holidays,
Brad Blythe
http://members.aol.com/beblythe/index.html