Human powered Air Navigation: Why Your Organisation Needs the Updated CANSO Standard of Excellence in Human Performance Management

27/01/2025

In this new blog, the chair team of the CANSO Safety Human Performance Workgroup talk about the updated Standard of Excellence in Human Performance Management

In today’s ever-evolving air traffic management (ATM) landscape, the role of human performance has never been more pivotal. From integrating cutting-edge automation to adapting to post-COVID workforce challenges, organisations face mounting complexities that demand more than traditional safety management frameworks can provide. That’s why CANSO has launched a major update to its Standard of Excellence in Human Performance Management (HPM) — a comprehensive framework designed to elevate human performance to the forefront of operational strategy.

Why human performance needs its own programme

Historically, human performance management has often been treated as a subset of safety management. While safety remains a vital component, this approach can inadvertently obscure the broader value human performance brings to the table. The updated Standard makes the case for treating human performance as a distinct programme. Why? Because people are not just a source of resilience and adaptability — they are also the critical link between innovation and operational success.

Consider this: Air traffic controllers, engineers, and other operational staff are at the heart of your ATM systems. Their ability to adapt to stress, manage fatigue, and stay situationally aware directly impacts safety and efficiency. Yet, these factors are influenced not only by safety policies but also by culture, infrastructure, leadership, and day-to-day variability. A dedicated human performance programme ensures these dimensions are managed holistically. This symbiotic relationship will only become more important as we strive ahead with new airspace users, new AI technologies and ever enhancing automation.

Insights from five years of application and a post-COVID Survey

This update is grounded in real-world insights gained over five years of implementation across ANSPs worldwide. During this period, the Human Performance Management Standard of Excellence has proven itself as an invaluable tool for identifying gaps, driving innovation, and achieving measurable improvements in operational outcomes.

Additionally, a wide-reaching post-COVID survey conducted by the CANSO HPM workgroup team revealed critical lessons about organisational resilience and human performance. Among the findings: the importance of robust health and wellbeing initiatives, the need for dynamic change management strategies, and the value of fostering a culture where human performance is recognised as a shared responsibility.

These lessons have informed the latest enhancements, ensuring the Standard is more relevant and practical than ever before.

Getting started has never been easier

One of the standout features of the updated Standard is its accessibility. Whether your organisation is a large, resource-rich ANSP or a smaller provider, the framework is designed to meet you where you are. Here’s how you can get started:

  1. Assess Your Current State: Use the maturity model outlined in the document to evaluate where your organisation stands across 12 key elements of human performance, from leadership to operational training.
  2. Identify Priorities: Not every organisation needs to tackle all 12 elements at once. Start by focusing on foundational areas, such as policy, strategy, and resources, before progressing to more advanced elements like human performance assurance.
  3. Engage Stakeholders: Human performance management touches every department. Build a multidisciplinary team to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach.
  4. Leverage CANSO Support: The Human Performance Management Workgroup is available to provide guidance, answer questions, and help you align your efforts with the Standard.

Bridging the gaps

One of the most valuable aspects of this update is its ability to bridge gaps often overlooked by traditional approaches. For instance, it emphasises the integration of human performance data into strategic decision-making. This enables organisations to proactively address issues like workload management, training effectiveness, and the impacts of change.

It also highlights the importance of health and wellbeing, offering practical strategies for fostering a culture that prioritises psychological safety and resilience. In an era where burnout and turnover rates pose significant challenges, these insights are more than timely — they are essential.

Looking Ahead

The updated Standard of Excellence in Human Performance Management is more than a framework; it is a roadmap for the future of ATM. By focusing on the human element, it empowers organisations to navigate complexity, embrace innovation, and sustain excellence.

As we look to the future, the message is clear: investing in human performance isn’t just about meeting today’s challenges. It’s about building the resilience and adaptability needed for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Access the full document and start transforming your organisation’s human performance programme today.

We are so proud of our large Human Performance Management Workgroup and we are grateful for the support of all of their expertise and of their organisations in helping to shape this amazing document. As always, we stand by ready to answer any queries and questions you may have. Help is only an email away!

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