I have chosen a definition of CRM, and would like to thank all of you for
your great input! I now know more about the topic. While many of you had
great things to say, I chose the following CRM definition because it is in
layman's terms. Many of the definitions I received were not for CRM
novices, hence they didn't meet my needs.
My objective is to introduce CRM to many scientists (engineers, medical
doctors) who have absolutely no idea what CRM is, and by doing so,
illustrate how things like communication can be vital for enhanced human
performance and safety in complex systems (well, actually, in all systems).
I fear that what I'm about to do might be somewhat like taking a match to a
warehouse full of explosives. But we only live once so here goes (but I'm
closing my eyes :-)):
What is CRM?
Beginning in the late 1970's, it became evident that several
commercial aviation mishaps were attributed to poor communications among
the flight crew, as well as miscommunication between the flight crew and
Air Traffic Control Specialists. When the industry recognized this,
measures were taken to address these communication problems in the cockpit
and between aviation support personnel. Crew resource management (CRM) is
an area of training for cockpit, cabin, dispatch and maintenance aviation
crews. It is defined as the effective management of all resources
available to the aviation operators. CRM is the application of Aeronautical
Decision making (can you redefine ADM becuase many of those reading this
will not know what it is) to multi-person flight crews.
CRM training includes interpersonal communication, group processes,
team decision making, leadership, situation awareness, conflict resolution,
recognition of own behavioral styles, and recognition of other's behavioral
styles. Many CRM courses offer other areas of content including automation
management, stress management, and fatigue management but these are outside
the boundary of CRM unless they deal with interpersonal behavior (R.
Jensen, 1997, 9th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology address).
____________________________________________________________
M. Ephimia Morphew,
The Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments
2156 Harbortown Circle, Champaign, IL 61821
emorphew_at_s.psych.uiuc.edu, (217) 359-3469
Human Perception & Performance Lab, Beckman Institute
405 N. Mathews Ave., Rm B500, Urbana, IL 61801,ph:217-244-4461 fax:217-244-8371