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PurposeThis paper sets out to outline a human hazard analysis methodology as a tool for managing human error in aircraft maintenance, operations and production. The methodology developed has been used in a slightly modified form on Airbus aircraft programmes. This paper aims to outline a method for managing human error in the field of aircraft design, maintenance and operations. Undertaking the research was motivated by the fact that aviation incidents and accidents still show a high percentage of human‐factors events as key causal factors.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology adopted takes traditional aspects of the aircraft design system safety process, particularly fault tree analysis, and couples them with a structured tabular notation called a human error modes and effects analysis (HEMEA). HEMEA provides data, obtained from domain knowledge, in‐service experience and known error modes, about likely human‐factors events that could cause critical failure modes identified in the fault tree analysis. In essence the fault tree identifies the failure modes, while the HEMEA shows what kind of human‐factors events could trigger the relevant failure.FindingsThe authors found that the methodology works very effectively, but that it is very dependent on locating the relevant expert judgement and domain knowledge..Research limitations/implicationsThe authors found that the methodology works very effectively, but that it is very dependent on locating the relevant expert judgement and domain knowledge. Using the method as a prototype, looking at aspects of a large aircraft fuel system, was very time‐consuming and the industry partner was concerned about the resource implications of implementing this process. Regarding future work, the researchers would like to explore how a knowledge management exercise might capture some of the domain knowledge to reduce the requirement for discursive, seminar‐type sessions with domain experts.Practical implicationsIt was very clear that the sponsors and research partners in the aircraft industry were keen to use this method as part of the safety process. Airbus has used a modified form of the process on at least two programmes.Originality/valueThe authors are aware that the UK MOD uses fault tree analysis that includes human‐factors events. However, the researchers believe that the creation of the human error modes effects analysis is original. On the civil side of the aviation business this is the first time that human error issues have been included for systems other than the flightdeck. The research was clearly of major value to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Airbus, who were the original sponsors.

PurposeWith the recognition of the necessity for effectively and successfully managing natural disaster projects for saving human lives and preventing and minimizing the impacts of disasters on socio‐economic developmental progress, this paper seeks to propose a balanced scorecard (BSC) approach in order to maximize the possibilities of desired outcomes from projects.Design/methodology/approachThe BSC approach, which has been widely accepted and used in business organizations, can be adapted for natural disaster management projects. An application of this BSC approach to disaster management projects is discussed with a real flood disaster management project.FindingsIn the BSC approach, performance measures should be established in four areas: donors' perspective; the target beneficiaries' perspective; the internal process perspective; and the learning and innovation perspectives. Measures for four areas in each of the five generic phases of managing natural disasters (i.e. preparedness, early warning, emergency relief, rehabilitation and recovery) allow project managers to identify problem areas and areas for further improvements. Ensuring success in one phase will lead to success in the subsequent phase because success in one phase will be the input for the following phase.Research limitations/implicationsIn general, this study demonstrates an application of the balanced scorecard approach to natural disaster management projects and, in particular, to a real flood disaster management in Hat Yai Municipality, Southern Thailand. Future research might focus on other types of natural disaster.Practical implicationsUsing the balanced scorecard, project managers can understand problem areas as well as areas for improvement in current projects, which would enhance their abilities to take corrective actions that ensure and maximize the possibilities of successful outcomes from implemented projects.Originality/valueThis paper proposes the BSC approach for successfully managing natural disaster projects. This management approach can be applied to various natural disaster management projects.