Introduction

    Case studies illustrate the kinds of decisions and dilemmas managers face every day, and as such provide an effective learning tool for project management. Due to the dynamic and complex environment of projects, a great deal of project management knowledge is tacit and hard to formalize. A case study captures the complex nature of a project and identifies key decision points, allowing the reader an inside look at the project from a practitioner's point of view.

    + Catalog of NASA-Related Case Studies

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Case Studies

  • The X-15 pilots clown around in front of the #2 aircraft. From left to right: USAF Capt. Joseph Engle, USAF Maj. Robert Rushworth, NASA test pilot John

    Knowledge Legacy - From the X-15 to the Space Shuttle

    The X-15 program sought to learn more about the problems and possibilities of hypersonic flight and human spaceflight, and provided a knowledge base that informed the development of the space shuttle.

  • Columbia’s Last Mission

    Columbia’s Last Mission

    Routine reviews of Columbia’s launch videos from January 16, 2003, revealed a foam strike and triggered discussions within NASA about what, if anything should be done next.

  • The Deepwater Horizon

    The Deepwater Horizon Accident – Lessons for NASA

    The events leading up to the Deepwater Horizon accident offers several cautionary lessons for NASA.

  • Weathering Ike

    Weathering the Storm: Lessons from Hurricane Ike

    Surviving the third costliest hurricane to hit the United States reaffirmed a common lesson for NASA: in the event of an emergency, you’d better have a plan.

  • Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS)

    Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite

    An unexpected opportunity enabled LCROSS to hitch a ride to the moon, but it came with significant cost and schedule constraints. This unique challenge required effective partnerships.

  • STS-119 Flow Control Valve Issue

    STS-119 Flow Control Valve Issue

    An elusive technical problem demanded rigorous investigation and open communication before NASA's technical community said "go" for launch on STS-119.

  • Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn

    The Cassini-Huygens Mission

    As the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft hurtled through space on its 1.5-billion km voyage to Saturn, engineers discovered a technical error that jeopardized the success of the Huygens probe.

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