Assurance Process (AP) mapping looks complicated at first glance, but it can it be reduced to a series of manageable steps. Responsibility for creating the assurance process map and matrix should reside with the mission assurance manager for the program.

Preparation Work- The mission assurance manager should notify the NSC Audits and Assessments Office of their intent to create an assurance process map. The NSC Audits and Assessments Office will have the responsibility for providing sufficient guidance, e.g., this information on PBMA and peer review, to the program to ensure successful AP map construction.

Gather the program requirements for mission assurance; program plans, mission assurance plans, safety plans, etc. The information within these documents will drive the entries of the matrix section, which in turn will drive the elements on the map. Gap analyses can be generated when the practices in place are compared to the documents. Acquire the latest versions of NASA HQ, program, and program contractor organizational charts for the map layout.

Matrix Population- Proceeding through the documents, list every applicable assurance agent, activity, review, board and organization in the matrix template. Describe the agents and assurance activities in a concise fashion, but add enough detail to provide context to the map. Within the descriptions, include contracts and applicable requirements as well as a reference to the origin of where the information was derived. Augment the document information with that acquired through learned knowledge and interviews as possible. Populate the Level of Independence and Depth of Penetration entries of the matrix based on the documents and org. charts, deriving values from template key. List a point of contact for every agent and assurance activity entry.

Map Layout- Using a top-down philosophy, place boxes on the map page template to represent management organizations, with the program implementing organizations arrayed below. Follow the guidelines of general layout areas but arrange the boxes in the manner of an organizational chart with reporting lines between groups.

 

Near the bottom of the map page place boxes for the operational elements; convention has the spacecraft elements on the left side of the map and launch vehicle elements on the right side.

Next add the program, contractor and independent assurance agents using the middle area of the map page and also the areas around the elements. Add reporting relationships for the assurance agent to the management organizations, either direct reporting or matrix relationships. Take advantage of different graphical conventions to reduce clutter; use traditional solid lines for direct reporting, dashed lines for matrix relationships; grouping boxes; or numerical hierarchies as needed.

In the rapidly dwindling free space of the map page, place boxes for the key reviews and boards for the mission.

Draw information flows inputs from assurance agents to other assurance agents, management organizations, and inputs to reviews. Add the information outputs from reviews to other reviews, boards and management boxes. Highlight key flows with thicker line-widths as appropriate.

Trace arrows, representing assurance activities or "vectors", from assurance agents to operational elements or other recipients of assurance processes.

Finally apply a logically-sequenced, numerical key to the boxes. Ensure that vectors are matched to their originating boxes in a 'V#' format. Rearrange the entries in the matrix to follow the sequence.

 

Acronyms- Compile a list of all acronyms used in the AP map and populate the template an alphabetically sorted list.

Directory- Compile a list of every name presented both on the map page and in the matrix section. Research the location, organization and telephone number of each name and populate in the rows of the directory. Using the same numerical sequence as the boxes and the matrix rows, tag each entry in the directory with a reference.

Review and Revise- Building an assurance process map is an iterative process, whether the AP map is being presented at the Safety and Mission Assurance Readiness Review (SMARR) or developed as the program proceeds through its life-cycle development. Every opportunity should be taken to review and revise the assurance process map as it is being developed. The NSC Audits and Assessments Office stands ready to assist with assurance process mapping subject matter expert review during AP map development.

 

To further its use as an active tool, an assurance process map needs to be updated not only as the program is developed and formulated, but also as personnel change.

Present- Prior to SMARR, the program mission assurance manager is required to brief the NASA OSMA Chief Safety Officer. It is suggested that the map also be briefed to program management at key program events.

 

AP Map Construction Sequence