Written by:
11/4/2006 3:00 PM 

GAP Analyses help aviation service providers uncover shortfalls in some process or characteristic. They are done against a template or model, such as SMS Pro's aviation SMS models adapted from various SMS guidance documents published in Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States. At its core are two questions:

   1. Where are we?
   2. Where do we want to be?

Aviation SMS GAP Analyses are often used to discover where to focus efforts on improvement. They compare characteristics of an organization's operations against an appropriate model. GAP Analyses highlight areas where requirements of the model are not fully realized and details necessary changes.

For the past couple years, SMS Pro used three gap analysis templates from the FAA, Transport Canada and a reputable aviation SMS training company. Recently, a helicopter operator told us that the templates are fine for fixed-wing operators, MROs and perhaps airports; however, some items didn't apply to their operation.

This operator wanted the ability to:
    1) Delete questions;
    2) Change the wording;
    3) Add questions; and
    4) Add/remove categories.

These features have now been built into SMS Pro. Each organization can now have their own "Customizable" Gap Analysis, or they may continue to use one of the existing templates:
        1) FAA
        2) Transport Canada
        3) Hybrid (ICAO, TC, IS-BAO, FAA)

Since we believe a "Customized Gap Analysis" will be based on one of the existing models, users customize their Custom Gap Analyses in SMS Pro's "Custom Inspection Form" creator module. Users select a model and adapt the template to suit their organizational needs. Gap Analyses are still performed & managed in SMS Pro's Gap Analysis module.

Since Gap Analyses are now edited in SMS Pro's "Custom Inspection Form" module, PDF export is available for blank forms.

Features of the Gap Analysis module include:
    1) Four types of Gap Analyses to choose from;
    2) Multiple users can work on the same Gap Analysis;
    3) Web based, secure environment;
    4) Easy to use interface;
    5) Able to "score/rate" each question;
    6) Provide notes referring to documentation or justifying answers to each question;
    7) Able to add general notes covering entire Gap Analysis for later review;
    8) Final report emailed to user who started the Gap Analysis;
    9) Printable report for those needing hard-copies;
    10) Charts and graphs comparing results of completed Gap Analyses;
    11) Able to resume Gap Analysis at a later time, from other computers/locations
    12) Review past Gap Analyses and get historical reports with a single click.
   

Below are some screen shots of a Gap Analysis being modifed in SMS Pro's Custom Inspection Form module.

Editing Questions using SMS Pro's Web editing interface.

Performing a Gap Analysis in SMS Pro.

Gap Analysis Reports of Completed Gap Analyses

History of past gap analyses are always a click away.

Sample printed Gap Analysis Report after completion

To learn more about SMS Pro and key features, see http://www.aviation-sms.com/SMSPro/KeyFeatures.aspx

For a demo of the latest version (a lot has changed in the past year), contact Chris at chowell@nwds-ak.com.

NorthWest Data Solutions, in Anchorage, Alaska develops and supports SMS Pro. The customer service has been rated as "exceptional."

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Location: BlogsFAA, ICAO, Transport Canada Compliant Aviation SMSHazard Reporting

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