scope:

PURPOSE. Risk management is an organized, systematic decision-making process that efficiently identifies, analyzes, plans (for the handling of risks), tracks, controls, communicates, and documents risks to increase the likelihood of achieving program/project goals. This GPG provides procedures and guidelines for applying risk management to GSFC projects as required by NPG 7120.5, "Program and Project Management Processes and Requirements."

APPLICABILITY. This risk management procedure shall be applied to all space flight systems (e.g., projects) for which GSFC is responsible. This procedure shall also be applied to deliverable instruments, spacecraft and other GSFC products designated by the GSFC Center Director. This procedure applies to project formulation and implementation subprocesses, including mission operations.

The formal risk management requirements defined in this GPG do not apply to sounding rockets, balloons, and aircraft or their associated instruments/payloads. Small Shuttle Payloads (e.g., Hitchhiker, Space Experiment Module, and Get-Away-Specials) are also excluded. However, product managers for these types of missions shall define and implement an effective risk management process commensurate with the level of risk associated with their specific missions.