Question

1. Why are individuals so important to the NASA project teams? 2. What is the Lessons Learned Program and how might it relate to better project management at NASA? 3. Why is individual accountability so important for managing risks in NASA projects? Doesn’t the team shoulder the responsibility for achieving success? 4. What are the key competencies of a good project manager according to the NASA managers? 5. Is "leadership" the same as being a good project manager? 6. What does leadership integrity have to do with the success of a project?

Answer 1

Answer: The answers are provided below.

Explanation:

1. NASA is an acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is a federal agency in charge of aerospace research, aeronautics, and also the civilian space program.

People are key to everything done at NASA. People mean more than astronauts, but everyone that go into completing a project. People are so vutal because they are the ones that make up the teams which ultimately help NASA reach its goals.

2. The Lessons Learned Program is a database that is established so that NASA workers can input their experience, findings, errors, successes, trials, recommendations and case analyses.

The NASA Lessons Learned Program is a database that contains official reviews, and the learned lessons from NASA projects, programs, and astronauts. Project management is risk management and this enables the project management team to better assess and reduce risk by not making same mistake twice

3. The team bears the responsibility for the achievement of success but it must be done by individual cooperation. Cooperation as a team is vital at NASA. Therefore, it is important for the individuals to hold themselves accountable so as to ensure that risk is avoided as much as possible.

4. NASA believes characteristics of a good project manager should include passionate about the task at hand, being optimistic, possessing the ability to surround yourself with people who are competent, communicating effectively with others, knowing your job, ensuring your team knows their job, working well with others, and integrity.

5. Leadership integrity has all to do with project success. Integrity is what one does when no one is watching. As a leader, one must always maintain integrity in order to ensure ones actions are always in the team's best interest.