Development of Risk Assessment Matrix for NASA Engineering and Safety Center - Abstract and Study on the 5 x 5 Risk Matrix Scorecard

Sep 11, 2026

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Development of a 5 x 5 Risk Matrix Scorecard for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) focuses on creating sufficiently detailed scoring criteria to qualitatively and initially prioritize technical safety issues. The scorecard supports NESC decision-making across NASA by defining matrix elements and documenting the rationale for each definition. Development runs in parallel with tailoring Futron’s IRMA software into the NARMA tool for evaluating incoming safety concerns.

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Abstract

Key Words or Phrases

1.0 Background

2.0 Risk Matrix Background

3.0 Risk Definitions

Development of Risk Assessment Matrix for NASA Engineering and Safety Center by Kelly D. Moses. P. E. Roy W. Malone, Jr. Senior Risk Analyst Deputy Director Futron Corporation Safety & Mission Assurance Directorate NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Abstract This paper describes a study, which had as its principal goal the development of a sufficiently detailed 5 x 5 Risk Matrix Scorecard. The purpose of this scorecard is to outline the criteria by which technical issues can be qualitatively and initially prioritized. The tool using this scorecard has been proposed to be one of the information resources the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) takes into consideration when making decisions with respect to incoming information on safety concerns across the entire NASA agency. The contents ofthis paper discuss in detail each element of the risk matrix scorecard, definitions for those elements and the rationale behind the development of those definitions. This scorecard development was performed in parallel with the tailoring of the existing Futron Corporation Integrated Risk Management Application (IRMA) software tool. IRMA was tailored to fit NESC needs for evaluating incoming safety concerns and was renamed NESC Assessment Risk Management Application (NARMA) which is still in developmental phase. Key Words or Phrases Risk Assessment, Risk Matrix, Decision, IRMA, Per Opportunity 1.0 Background The NASA Engineering and Safety Center is an independent organization, chartered in the wake of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident and in response to the observations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) . The objective of the NESC is to ensure the safety and engineering excellence of NASA's programs and institutions. This is to be accomplished by using a diverse mix of talent from across the nation for the following activities: coordinating and conducting robust engineering testing and safety assessments; performing independent testing and analysis; and reviewing programs and institutional issues at all centers including headquarters. The organization will be proactive in looking for the next problem or issue as well as be one of several collection points for all identified safety related reports, issues, problems and/or concerns for the entire NASA agency. The product of the NESC will be a formal, independent technical assessment of all major NASA programs resulting in written reports, briefings, and/or recommendations. Additionally, the NESC will provide a centralized location for the management of independent engineering assessment by expert personnel and state ofthe art tools and methods for the purpose of assuring safety. Areas for independent assessment will be carefully selected and managed with a strong focus on technical merit. Work will be prioritized based on technical risk, the need for independence and the potential for value-added contribution. Methods for this selection and prioritization are ongoing and include the tasks completed during the contract efforts described in this report. 2.0 Risk Matrix Background Widely accepted and state-of-the-art risk matrix templates are available from several reputable sources including, Defense Acquisition University (DAU)/Defense Systems Management College (DSMC) 1, Software Engineering Institute (SEI)2, NASA Policy Guidance Document 7120 .5B3 as well as others. The critical step in establishing a meaningful and useful risk management and risk analysis system is tailoring the risk matrix components. This is accomplished by weighing the program’s mission, goals and objectives while concurrently considering the organization’s degree of risk affinity oraversion. The objective of evaluating the attributes of a risk is to gain a better understanding by determining the expected impact, probability and timeframe of the risk. Risks should be evaluated at a level of analysis that is sufficient to determine the relative importance fo

FAQs

What is the main goal of developing the 5 x 5 Risk Matrix Scorecard for NESC?

To create a sufficiently detailed 5 x 5 scorecard that defines criteria for qualitatively and initially prioritizing technical issues and safety concerns.

How does the scorecard support NESC decision-making?

It provides a framework for classifying and later prioritizing issues using criteria based on the expected impact, probability, and timeframe relevant to NESC evaluations.

What role does IRMA tailoring play in this effort?

The work includes tailoring the Futron Corporation Integrated Risk Management Application (IRMA) into NESC Assessment Risk Management Application (NARMA), which is still under development for evaluating incoming safety concerns.

Sep 11, 2026

Upload by James