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Project Leadership Lessons Learned Jacobs/Steve Poulos Former NASA Orbiter and EVA Project Manager

Project Leadership Lessons Learned Jacobs/Steve Poulos Former NASA Orbiter and EVA Project Manager February 20, 2014. Project Leadership Lessons Learned. Things I Wish I Had Done Differently as a Level III PM Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations (“accept, comply, embrace”)

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Project Leadership Lessons Learned Jacobs/Steve Poulos Former NASA Orbiter and EVA Project Manager

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  1. Project Leadership Lessons Learned Jacobs/Steve Poulos Former NASA Orbiter and EVA Project Manager February 20, 2014

  2. Project Leadership Lessons Learned • Things I Wish I Had Done Differently as a Level III PM • Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations (“accept, comply, embrace”) • Independent reports need to be evaluated and decisions made as to what recommendations are absolutely required to be implemented prior to returning to the mission • Better coordination with Stakeholders • Know who your stakeholders are and insure you are communicating with them often • Allowed too many topics to be elevated to the Program-Level (delegated authority?) • Know what your level of authority is and manage within those bounds • Less talking; More probing questions • You learn more by asking questions than making statements • Engine Cut-Off Sensor testing • Failed to push for a more thorough root cause investigation into the anomaly because the issue was potentially at an interface • Radiator Retract Hose testing (post-qual leak) • After 4X cycle life testing a small (single drop) leak was identified. Test was conservative, and proceeded to re-perform the test to match actual configuration at a significant cost

  3. Project Leadership Lessons Learned • Things I Wish I Had Done Differently as a Level III PM • Thermal Protection System repair projects (too many for too long) • 20+ concepts for 6 months • Cure-In-Place Ablator volume requirement • History cannot predict the future but it sure can help you understand the risk • Debated viability of STA-54 (tile repair material) too long • When you demonstrate performance in the relevant environment do not second guess the results • Failed to be proactive in initiating an investigation team for the potential RCC spallation anomaly • When the hardware talks to you; listen • Better manage the Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessel analysis/testing • How many PhD’s does it take to identify acceptable risk? • Taken more time off

  4. Project Leadership Lessons Learned • Things That Worked • Well defined goals/objectives • Bottoms-up budget understanding and getting the resources necessary to do the job • Excellent/dedicated personnel • Outstanding/complimentary management Team • Decision making (80/20) • Holding people accountable • Knowing when to say no (workload) • Orbiter Boom Sensor System inspection requirements • Summits with KSC (key stakeholder) • Orbiter Return-to-Flight Working Group/OPO Technical Tagup • Establishing a “Team” mind set • Team recognition on many occasions • Communication

  5. Project Leadership Lessons Learned • Project Leadership • Vision/Communication • Active listening • Responsible – ticking people off • Never neglect the details • Ask for forgiveness, not permission • People are key; attract the best • Perpetual optimism • Great leaders are great simplifiers • 80/20 rule • Team • Leadership is lonely • Have fun! • Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible - Gen Colin Powell

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