Gap Analysis Checklist Software for Airlines & Airports
SMS Pro™ is aviation safety management software that provides built-in Gap Analysis software tools for aviation service providers. Many different models are available to choose from, including IS-BAO, ICAO, FAA and Transport Canada. The gap analysis process is easily followed using standard gap analysis methods. If you don't want to use the gap analysis software provided by SMS Pro, there are free gap analysis templates in Excel on this site and other SMS Pro support sites.
SMS Pro™ is a web based aviation SMS "tool" designed around the ICAO SMS requirements and the four SMS pillars. This full-featured aviation SMS tool enables organizations to setup their aviation SMS program on a phased implementation schedule. To learn more about SMS Pro™ go to www.aviation-sms.com or to see the key features in videos for Web based aviation safety management software.
More Information About Gap Analysis Software
Four models or types of Gap Analyses available in SMS Pro™. |
| Demonstrate Continuous Improvement |
Regardless of which gap analysis model you choose, the gap analysis process remains the same. Without good database software, you can conduct the gap analysis process repeatedly and you will find it difficult to compare results from previous gap analysis result sets. That is why we recommend enterprise-level gap analysis software. Starting at $100 monthly, this is a small investment when you consider that you will be able to demonstrate continuous improvement.
The second gap analysis model we added to SMS Pro™ is the Transport Canada SMS Gap Analysis. During the early days of SMS Pro™, most of our clients came from Canada and Australia, who are recognized as leaders in complying with aviation safety management system regulations.
The their gap analysis model is strictly from FAA's AC Draft XX-X version 4, which is now the FAA SMS Assurance Guide. This is also known as the preliminary gap analysis model that is offered by the FAA.
In 2012, we added the IS-BAO gap analysis because some of our clients needed to use it as a pre-audit checklist for IS-BAO audits. They recognized that the other gap analysis models were better. For most aviation SMS professionals, it becomes obvious that the IS-BAO gap analysis is not a high hurdle to jump.
Each SMS gap analysis model share identical functionality. A new feature we added early on was the ability to add notes or supporting Documentation Sources to each question. In the past, SMS Pro's Gap Analysis had a "General Note Section" to document notes about the entire Gap Analysis. For example, a Gap Analysis may span several subject areas, such as Flight Operations, Cabin, Dispatch, etc. Since one person is rarely the subject matter expert in all areas, a safety manager could assign sections to individual team members. Six months later, everyone would know which person worked on each section if it was documented in this fashion.
More Features in Gap Analysis Software
Another feature that became very popular with the gap analysis software was the ability to report an item as an issue into SMS Pro's risk management framework. This allowed managers to apply corrective actions to the deficient gap analysis item and document all deficiencies in a single Corrective Action Plan.
- Creating printed reports;
- Resuming a gap analysis after leaving the session;
- Working on the gap analysis as a team;
- Demonstrating continuous improvement in the form of charts and graphs;
- Documenting the gap analysis process using the provided template;
- Seeing the summary score of the completed items during the gap analysis process; and
- Viewing history of your gap analysis attempts.
About the Gap Analysis Process
An SMS Gap analysis is one of the first steps in implementing an effective aviation SMS. Of course, the best Web-based gap analysis software is SMS Pro. Independent SMS consultants consistently tell us that SMS Pro™ is:- More Complete!
- Has Best Customer Service
- More User-Friendly!
- Most Cost-Effective! and
- Designed specifically for the aviation industry.
For general information, FAA's GAP Analysis has only four sections and is not as comprehensive as our "Hybrid" GAP Analysis. Transport Canada's Gap Analysis is more complete than the FAA Gap Analysis. The IS-BAO gap analysis is perhaps the easiest one to complete.
Graphs of previously completed SMS GAP analysis facilitate the "continuous improvement" requirement. Again, meaningful charts and graphs are not possible with the free SMS Gap Analysis tool.
After completing a Gap Analysis, a report is emailed to the person who initiated the SMS Gap Analysis.
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About NWDS - founded in 2003 by six software engineers, NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) provides custom computer programming and systems design services. NWDS creates many types of software, including e-commerce, financial, defense, engineering, logistics, aviation and more. In 2007, NWDS developed SMS Pro™ a web based SMS application that supports an organization's overall SMS through safety reporting, safety documentation, safety risk management and safety assurance. SMS Pro™ is currently used by aviation organizations in the U.S., Canada, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to help manage their SMS programs. NWDS continues to support SMS Pro™ and add new functionality. NWDS offers custom contract programming services in the U.S. and Canada and is managed by Chris Howell, one of the founders. Their headquarters is in Anchorage, Alaska. For information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.
