I have to agree that the skills that we want for CRM must be integrated
in the individual. While we often start with a "tool kit" of skills,
once the skills (and the ability to use them) have matured, the person
should be using them at all times. I have heard many crewmembers
discuss how they have used their new communication and decision-making
skills outside the aircraft.
On the other hand, as Dr. Helmreich says, CRM skills are not the only
things required, and we still need technical training, physical skills,
etcetera. We have "oversold" CRM in the past as a panacea for fliight
safety. In fact, the MOST important, or at least most basic, thing in
having a safe operation is to have a proper attitude on the part of the
management of that operation (see Boeing's publication On Design of
Flight Deck Procedures for a good discussion of this). So CRM is a
skill, but one that must exist within the proper management system.
Ideally in the future we will not have CRM as a separate subject, but
simply as part of the process of becoming an aviation professional.
Thanks for the input.
Cheers,
Dave Keasal
>----------
>From: CmrInc_at_aol.com[SMTP:CmrInc_at_aol.com]
>Sent: Thursday, January 30, 1997 9:03 AM
>To: crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu
>Subject: Re: What are the boundaries of CRM?
>
>Bob Helmreich brought up an interesting topic. Here are my thoughts on the
>issue.
>
>While traditional CRM may have very real limitations and boundries, this does
>not seem to be the case with a management system. In fact, this came as a
>surprise to us about ten years ago when pilots began telling us that this was
>very effective at home, in their place of worship, in civic organizations,
>with co-workers throughout their organization. We've heard this from pilots
>who use our management system as CFIs and firefighters as well. In fact, back
>in July of 1994, we issued a standing challenge to all of our clients to find
>a situation in any field, in which our management system would not have
>worked. We have heard from many who have said they are still looking, but
>thus far, no one has even submitted anything.
>
>We are also convinced that CRM (again, I'm referring to a management system)
>is not and can not, be something you turn on and off. It must be a natural,
>automatic, subconscious behavior. These skills and procedures must be used
>all the time at work and we strongly encourage use at home as well. As yet,
>we have not found a situation in which our management system is not highly
>effective.
>
>Skip Mudge
>CMR, Inc.
>