R 091854Z JAN 13 ALCOAST 003/13 COMDTNOTE 5100 SUBJ: OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ADVANCEMENTS - SITREP ONE 1. This is the first in a series of SITREPs informing the field of efforts to improve the Operational Risk Management (ORM) program. All Coast Guard missions and daily activities, regardless of how routine, require decisions to manage risk. ORM is a systems-oriented process to identify, assess, and control hazards associated with any mission, function, operation, and activity both on and off-duty. 2. The Coast Guard is taking the following actions to reinvigorate the ORM program: A. A dedicated training system is being developed to standardize and facilitate the delivery of ORM content. Currently, ORM content is integrated into Team Coordination Training (TCT) and Crew Resource Management (CRM) training. The consequence is that the quantitative and analysis-centric processes used in ORM have become diluted with the more informal qualitative processes of TCT and CRM. The Coast Guard is developing ORM training solutions that emphasize the analysis process and build proficiency in the use of tools to identify, assess, and control hazards. B. To achieve risk assessment proficiency sooner, a Hazard Inventory Tool (HIT) is being developed to catalogue known hazards and mitigations associated with high risk missions, evolutions, and activities. While OJT has an advantage of acquiring risk management knowledge and experience through actual performance of operations, a disadvantage is the delay in knowledge acquisition since operational scenarios may not occur on a frequent or consistent basis. The HIT will supplement the existing mentor and OJT systems with mentor-like data that can sensitize junior members to hazards and mitigation strategies even if they have not experienced high risk events first-hand. C. Risk assessment processes and tools will be standardized within and across communities to improve the reliability and accuracy of risk management activities. Current processes and tools vary greatly, and operational communities have modified the rating scales and elements to meet personal preferences or perceived operational needs. The use of non-standard risk assessment frameworks delays proficiency development and complicates joint operations. A Hazard Assessment Tool (HAT) is under development that uses existing objective data on crew proficiency, crew state, mission hazards, and weather to calculate mission hazard exposure estimates that can be used across all operational communities. D. In the future, deliberate ORM will be emphasized in mission planning and briefing activities to better leverage risk management opportunities. Current reliance on "time-critical" ORM reduces risk mitigation options since the member may not have sufficient time to consider all mitigation strategies. ORM doctrine is being revised to require specific analysis activities early in the work day, deliberate ORM, as opposed to waiting until the mission, time-critical ORM. The HAT will provide the framework for the deliberate ORM activity. 3. Due to the interdependent nature of ORM program elements under development, these efforts are being conducted in parallel. To inform operational communities of program development activities and progress, COMDT (CG-11) is using a bridging strategy to provide timely and detailed information on the status of each activity. This will also alert the field of resources available to improve ORM activities and proficiencies. Quarterly SITREPs will be released addressing the following topics: A. MAR 2013 SITREP will address risk management proficiency development needs and introduce the concept of hazard inventories. COMDT (CG-113) is currently working with select operational communities to develop the HIT framework and begin analyzing high risk operations. This SITREP will detail these activities and formally introduce the HIT to the field. B. JUN 2013 SITREP will address hazard analysis challenges and propose specific frameworks to objectively quantify mission hazard exposure. This SITREP will address these activities and introduce HAT to the field. C. SEP 2013 SITREP will discuss ORM e-learning. Given the critical role of ORM in shaping risk acceptance attitudes and risk assessment activities, a recent Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA) recommended introducing ORM at all accession points in the Coast Guard. An effort is underway to develop e-learning solutions to address introductory and advanced ORM knowledge needs for Coast Guard operations. This SITREP will detail these activities and introduce e-learning solutions to the field. 4. I am very pleased with the advances being made in ORM. These efforts represent extensive collaboration with operational field units to identify risk management needs and ensure that the products developed enhance operations but do not hinder the operator. My goal is to provide tools to ensure operators have the best opportunity to mitigate the hazards they confront daily. I am confident in the commitment and professionalism of our people to practice good ORM. Good ORM depends on sound judgment and decision making by our people. Our current efforts focus on providing members with the most accurate and timely information to assist them in the decision making process. Every leader and operator is encouraged to practice ORM through all phases of mission execution. Make ORM part of routine training scenarios, seek guidance from leaders, and challenge subordinates to practice ORM at all times. I am proud of the risk decisions our service members make, and will strive to provide the tools over the next year to help protect our service members from unwarranted risks and enhance Coast Guard operations. 5. For additional information on the ORM program and current activities please contact Dr. Antonio Carvalhais, antonio.b.carvalhais(at)uscg.mil. 6. RADM Maura K. Dollymore, Director of Health, Safety and Work-Life sends. 7. Internet Release Authorized.