Letter from the Director

Welcome to the Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership (APPEL). APPEL contributes to NASA's mission by promoting individual and team excellence in program/project management and engineering through the application of learning strategies, methods, models, and tools.

Our research has shown that fully 80% of individual learning at NASA takes place on the job through hands-on experience. With that in mind, APPEL takes a blended learning approach, recognizing the necessity of creating many opportunities for learning in order to address the full range of learning styles and modes.

The Academy supports individual practitioners as well as NASA project and program teams at every level of development through its four primary business lines:

• Curriculum
• Curriculum lies at the heart of APPEL's approach to building program/project and engineering capability at NASA. The courses are designed using project management and systems engineering competency models and focus on what the participants will need to enhance their own capabilities, knowledge, and skills. The Academy's curriculum employs state-of-the art methodologies based on the best empirical research and the latest developments in industry. In doing so, we strive to do nothing less than set the standard for training and development for engineering and project management, thus advancing the mission of NASA in its service of our nation.
• Knowledge Sharing
• The Academy's Knowledge Sharing Initiative promotes excellence in project management and engineering leadership development. Its primary strategy focuses on gathering and sharing knowledge and wisdom from the best program/project and engineering leaders across the Agency. This initiative has proven to be an effective catalyst in building and supporting ongoing NASA communities of practice.
• Performance Enhancement
• APPEL Performance Enhancement services increase a project's probability of success by delivering the right support to a project team at the right time. Through one-on-one assistance, focused workshops, or large-group sessions, project enhancement programs achieve immediate project goals, while enhancing long-term team capabilities.
• Research
• APPEL supports NASA's goal to bridge programs/projects and the academic community. Many partnerships, studies, research and workshops are planned to share knowledge between program/project practitioners and university researchers.

Dr. Edward J. Hoffman, Director
Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership