Questions
Tango
1. How could risk management have aided in the development of the Comet?
Because it was technology driven and a new innovation, it was rushed to be designed so safety concerns had risen. The original Comet contained features such as four engines embedded in wings root, pressurized cabin which was intended to make passengers comfortable, and square windows. With the idea of inventing a new aircraft and trying to enhance the features beyond the limit without adequate safety norms itself paved a way for a chaotic scenario. When they were thinking about a single design and focusing on the wrong features, risk assessment and management parts were aided for development. A lot of mitigation controls that could affect overall functioning of the aircraft were also not addressed.
2. Discuss the various types of risk (technical, financial, commercial, etc.) in relation to the
Comet. Develop a qualitative risk matrix for these risk factors and assess them in terms of
probability and consequences.
Risks comes with any and everything when dealing with new inventions. It just a part of
everything and it will make or break the invention. When developing the Comet, risks were
available.
Technical Risk
The technical risks were not even considered about the aircraft. The quality of the Comet was
last priority. Engineers at de Havilland tried to produce a unique aircraft but failed to address the
possible dangers that could occur. On the risk matrix, the Comet had a bad rep early on because
of an explosion killing several passengers.
Financial Risk
De Havilland invested a lot of time and money in the production of Comet. They ignored the
financial requirements for the safety of the aircraft also. Because of it, it paved a way to
inadequate consideration of investment finance which was vital to the production of aircraft.
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Commercial Risk
The Comet failed commercially since it never met the commercial effects that were meant for its
construction. The constant accidents registered by the Comet led to its ejection from the aviation
market.
Qualitative Risk Matrix
Consequence Likeliho
od
Low Medium High Major
High Mechani
cal failures,
Capacity issues
Structura
l failures
Medium Failure to
win race to
market Low Race to
market, plane
breaks
Aircraft
crash
3. Given that a modified version of the Comet (the Comet IV) was used until recently by the
British government as an antisubmarine warfare aircraft, it is clear that the design flaws
could have been corrected given enough time. What, then, do you see as de Havilland’s
critical error in the development of the Comet?
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Impatience and lack of leadership is what I see in the development of the Comet. The engineers
never had enough time to correct the flaws because of the pace. With time and leadership behind
them, the Comet IV was an improvement over the Comet.
4. Comment on this statement: “Failure is the price we pay for technological
advancement.”
It is important to understand how bad the repercussions for failure would be to push the envelope
of technological advancement. It is important to consider the sufficient risk analysis and
management process for taking into account the consequences of failure. Never rush technology
without executing the plan at a steady pace.
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