Requirements to Relationships: Improving Safety and Mission Assurance Consistency through Communication and Engagement

Date of Award

5-9-2026

Degree Name

Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations

Department

Department of Educational Administration

Advisor/Chair

James Olive

Abstract

Space missions operate within highly complex, high-risk environments where success depends not only on technical excellence but also on effective organizational skills. Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) plays a critical role in managing risk and supporting mission success across NASA programs. Despite standards and requirements, inconsistencies exist in how SMA practices are interpreted and applied across missions, contributing to inefficiencies and increased risk. This Dissertation in Practice (DiP) examined the root causes of inconsistent SMA approaches within a nonprofit organization engaged in space mission development. Utilizing a co-constructivist framework within a post-positivist perspective, the qualitative action research study explored SMA implementation across three NASA missions of varying risk classifications through semi-structured interviews with SMA professionals, engineers, and program leadership, supported by document analysis. Analysis revealed two primary themes influencing SMA consistency, communication pathways and stakeholder engagement. Findings demonstrated that inconsistencies arise primarily from organizational and relational factors rather than technical complexity or lack of processes. Missions characterized by early SMA integration, transparent communication, and sustained stakeholder engagement exhibited more consistent interpretation and application of assurance requirements. Conversely, fragmented communication and limited collaboration contributed to misinterpretation, reliance on informal knowledge, and uneven implementation. SMA was found to be most effective when positioned as a collaborative partner embedded in daily engineering activities rather than as a compliance authority operating in parallel. Based on these findings, an action plan was developed to strengthen SMA consistency through structured communication routines and training workshops supported by an embedded evaluation framework. Implemented over a 24-month mission lifecycle, the plan emphasizes stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement. Key components include baseline assessments, predictable communication channels, scenario-based workshops, and ongoing feedback mechanisms to promote consistent interpretation of SMA requirements. This research highlights the importance of investing in communication, leadership engagement, and collaborative learning environments to improve assurance outcomes within organizations. Future research may examine impacts of communication-centered SMA interventions, explore leadership influence on assurance culture, or apply mixed-methods approaches to further quantify relationships between engagement, communication, and mission performance.

Keywords

Aerospace Engineering, Communication, Management, Organization Theory, Organizational Behavior, Systems Design

Comments

OCLC No. 1591818631

Rights Statement

Copyright 2026, author.

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