This presentation discusses the importance of developing and sharing case studies as a key component of knowledge sharing within NASA. It identifies various sources for developing case studies, such as databases at NASA centers and lessons learned documents. Developing high-quality case studies is important for retaining historical knowledge, especially as experienced employees retire. The presentation emphasizes preparing and submitting timely, high-quality lessons learned and case studies. It also discusses opportunities to expand the collection of case studies, such as developing 10 additional cases per year focused on human spaceflight knowledge sharing.

1. Developing and Sharing
^
Case Studies as a Key Component of
Knowledge Sharing
Harold M. Bell, PMP
Advanced Planning and Analysis Division
Office of the Chief Engineer
Used with Permission
February 9, 2010

2. “If I have seen farther, it is by
standing on the shoulders of
giants,” Sir Isaac Newton in a
letter to Robert Hooke in
1676.
Page 2

3. Agenda
1. Developing case studies as part of the learning
process
A. Building
B. Peer Review
C. Publishing
2. Case Studies—Discovering Good Examples
A. Availability across NASA
 Chief Engineer—Featured Cases
 Goddard Space Flight Center—NASA Case Studies
 Jet Propulsion Laboratory-- STrategic Assessment of Risk and
Technology (START) and other local libraries
 Johnson Space Center—Case Files
 ESMD Risk/Knowledge Management Case Studies
 Safety and Mission Assurance—Monthly Safety Message and NASA
Safety Center Cases of Interest and System Failure Case Studies
B. Opportunities for expansion
 APPEL Multimedia Cases and Video Gallery
 Columbia Accident Investigation Board and Return to Flight

4. 1. Developing Case Studies
A case study provides:
1.A narrative description of actual events
2.Used to create the opportunity for conversation,
problem analysis, and virtual decision making
An effective case study:
1.Transfers specific knowledge
2.Places the participant in a position to think through
the choices faced by the decision maker(s)
3.Enables a paradigm shift or new way of viewing
approaches to solving problems—instills an alternative
way to think
Case Study description paraphrased from NASA Case Study Methodology Document,
GSFC, with special thanks to Dr. Ed Rogers.

5. Developing case studies (cont):
1. Building(*)
Objectives:
– Leaves important issues unresolved;
– Allows for multiple levels of analysis;
– Captures a tension between courses of action;
– Generates more questions than answers;
– Fosters decision-making thinking.
Step 1 – Pick a target
Step 2 – Define the parameters of the Case
Step 3 – Thorough background research
Step 4 – Interview key participants
Step 5 – Identify learning points
Step 6 – Prepare draft
– Set the context
– Frame the issues – provide backstory (*) Paraphrased from NASA Case Study
Methodology Document, GSFC, with
– Analyze the problem special thanks to Dr. Ed Rogers.

6. Developing case studies (cont):
2. Peer Review(*)
Step 7 Circulate the Draft
Step 8 Test case with local audience
3. Publishing
Step 9 Create teaching notes and an epilogue
Step 10 Validate, publish, and roll out the case
(*) Paraphrased from NASA Case Study
Methodology Document, GSFC, with
special thanks to Dr. Ed Rogers.

7. NEN link to Chief Engineer Case Studies
http://nen.nasa.gov/portal/site/llis/home/

8. The Goddard Library
http://library.gsfc.nasa.gov/public/cspub.htm

9. Jet Propulsion Laboratory
http://start1.jpl.nasa.gov/caseStudies/caseStudies.cfm

10. Johnson Space Center
https://lldb.jsc.nasa.gov/index.cfm?event=CaseFiles

11. ESMD Risk/Knowledge Management Case Studies
https://ice.exploration.nasa.gov/ice/site/km/cs/

12. Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
Monthly Message
http://nsc.nasa.gov/KMO.mvc/SFCS

13. NASA Safety Center
http://nsc.nasa.gov/Home.mvc

14. Opportunities for Expansion
• Office of the Chief Engineer adds Case Studies:
– Chief Engineer features a new case study each quarter
– APPEL plans to initiate about 10 new case studies annually
– Centers strongly encouraged to recommend topics and drafts
– Professional staff available through APPEL for development, editing and
formatting.
• NASA Safety Center adds Case Studies
– Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance features a monthly message and
presents at the Administrators ViTS
– NSC prepares case studies by drawing from mishap reports and industry
events
• Centers and Mission Directorates create
knowledge sharing materials as well

15. Opportunities for Expansion (cont)
Case Studies do not always have to
be in written form
– APPEL Multimedia Case Studies and Video Gallery
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/appel/knowledge/publications/case_studies.html
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/appel/knowledge/multimedia/index.html
– Graphic and Video interactive presentation
Matt Mellis Columbia Accident Investigation
Example Follows

16. On January 16 2003, Columbia was impacted
by a piece of foam suspected to have
separated from the external tank at 81 seconds
into its launch.
Columbia was traveling at Mach 2.46, at an
altitude of 65,860 feet. The foam was calculated
to have hit the Orbiter at 700 – 800 feet per
second

17. Insulating Foam Separates from Bipod Ramp and
Impacts Left Wing of Columbia

18. Insulating Foam Separates from Bipod Ramp and
Impacts Left Wing of Columbia

19. The Bipod Ramp

20. The Bipod Ramp

21. Orbiter Leading Edge Full Scale Tests

22. Orbiter Leading Edge Full Scale Tests
External View of RCC Panel 8 Test

23. Opportunities for Expansion (cont)
OCE and OSMA jointly Issued a letter to
encourage NASA leadership to support
our employees in documenting lessons
and increasing knowledge sharing
across the workforce. It is a “must do”.
http://nen.nasa.gov/nenfileupload/files/lessons_learned_ltr_from_Mike_R.pdf

24. Page 25

25. Page 26

26. Importance of developing and sharing Case
Studies as key component of Knowledge Sharing
Synopsis: This presentation identifies the myriad of sources in developing Case Studies
and Lessons Learned in NASA, some of the databases where they are stored and best
practices for developing materials to ensure quality of product and discovery of
materials.
Abstract: The need to leverage the experience gained (both successful and less than
successful) has never been more important to NASA as major new robotic and manned
space flight initiatives loom large in our future. Knowledge sharing is often founded on
well written, high value lessons learned from NASA’s robotic and human spaceflight
missions. Lessons and related case study work play a significant role in retention of
historical knowledge and serve to bridge across generations especially as many older
employees retire. NASA needs to continue to document specific major operational
lessons learned in such a way that the lessons learned can serve as a source to facilitate
training for the next generation of space workers. We have unparalleled access to data
not only with NASA but from other Government Agencies and scientific databases. This
session will emphasize the importance of timely preparation and submission of high
quality lessons learned and case studies, sources of information for creation,
submission, archival, and identification of best practices for broad discovery of the
material once made available for use. The session will also include some thought on
OCE’s consideration for adding an annual data call to all NASA centers to develop
approximately 10 additional cases per year specifically focused on, but not limited to,
human space flight knowledge sharing and professional development.