Project Management for NASA's Failed Orbiter: Reasons and Solutions

This project explores the reasons behind the failure of NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter and highlights the importance of project management in successful project completion. It discusses the rationale behind modern organization project management strategies and the benefits of using project management techniques. The study also emphasizes the significance of project management in reducing project costs, achieving time management, and improving project outcomes. Additionally, it examines the relationship between project management and the failure of NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter, specifically the navigation error caused by the failure to translate English units into the metric system. The project concludes with recommendations for implementing project management strategies to avoid similar failures in the future.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Abstract
Project management is being defined as the application of different methodologies in
order to complete the project on time. This is pertaining to the fact that when the effective
technologies and methodologies will be used then project will be completed in successful
manner. The current project is based on NASA’s Orbiter which was a failed project. The present
study also highlighted the reason for the failure like lack of planning, communication and others.

Table of Contents
Part 1...............................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................4
Rationale behind modern organisation project management strategy........................................4
Important to use PMS.................................................................................................................6
PART 2...........................................................................................................................................9
Introduction.................................................................................................................................9
PMS in relation with failure of NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter.................................................9
Conclusion................................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................16

Part 1
INTRODUCTION
Project management is a strategic choice that companies and entities use to deliver the
different objectives behind the project. Project management include planning, implementation,
control and different stages that allow the organisation achieving the best level of strategic
outcome from the project. This project is about the project management planning done by the
NASA in respect to launching its project. This involves rationale behind the modern
organisation project management strategies. Also demonstrate the importance to the use the
PMS.
Rationale behind modern organisation project management strategy
Project management is about to direct different areas associated with the project that
needed to manage by the business entity. Organisations try to initiate different projects allow the
professionals to coordinate different areas related to the project management initiative. NASA is
one of the leading organisation in space science and research (Iamratanakul, 2018). The
organisation is engaged in projects related to launch of space craft and aircraft vehicles. Every
project seek proper planning and controlling which is only possible with support of proper
project management practice. This entire technique empower the management and organisation
to conduct realistic project planning against launch of any project. Realistic planning involve
conducting project related planning based on realistic facts and figures. It is important to plan
professionally and think on a practical ground in order to deliver proper planning regarding the
launch of any project at the NASA.
Project management practice also emphasis over clear focus and objectives which further
make this technique more rationale to use in order to deliver any project or task. Strategic
alignment is also delivered at a professional level under this practice. It is significant behind the
success of any project to formulate strategic alignment against the project management. Behind
the success of any project strategic formulation and alignment created play massive role. Project
management cover stakeholder analysis section that provide clear information about the

alliances organisation required to establish in order to gain success against the project
management practice.
Behind the formulation of this policy one more key advantage organisation could
achieve that this entire process or technique support managing the process. It is important to
manage all different processes associated with the project management task. This entire process
allow and guide the management in organisation in respect to all possible processes than can
empower the best level of implementation in respect to the project that requires to be
implemented. The level of projects NASA handle requires proper controlling and monitoring
till the time project is completely implemented (Fernandes and et.al., 2018). Project
management technique provide proper quality control techniques that could allow the entities
generating the best level of project results. Quality controlling become one of the major reason
behind choosing this approach while delivering any of the project by the organisation. Quality
assurance and control make the entity and management guide about the ways to provide more
qualitative outcomes against the project to be implemented.
Rationale behind the utilisation of project management approach is that it support to
reduce the overall project cost. This is among the most prominent reason behind the utilisation
of project management technique. NASA usually launch space related projects that requires
huge amount of financial resources. Like other organisations financial resources are always
limited in number. Project management technique segregate all requirements associated with the
project into different parts and in a systematic manner the sequence of every task is decided.
Systematic allocation of all individual project task allow the management to achieve proper cost
related controlling in project (Pishdad-Bozorgi and Srivastava, 2018). This is the major
advantage associated with the project management practice as it empower all the processes
associated with the project or task in such manner that management achieve the best level of
management and coordination against the project to be implemented. Standard level of control
over the project needed to be implemented which favour the organisation and management to
achieve proper control over the project management operation.
The another significance behind implementing this technique is that time management is
also achieve professionally under the project management task. NASA launches serious and
crucial mission that involve time as a crucial element or factor. Project management allow the
organisations to effectively manage the time when it comes to implementing respective project.

Implementation of every project require quality financial resources and also the structural way
or approach to implement the same project (Kunert, 2018). The key rationale indicator
associated with project management task is that it improve chances of achieving desired level of
output against the project implementation. It also allows the management to gain fresh
perspective on the project. Every project has its own significance and importance and with
support of project management operation management get to bring out the fresh perspective
inherent in every project task. It further prioritises resource management operation. IT is already
stated that financial and other resources are always limited in number and with support of the
project management task it can state that this entire practice or process allow the management of
NASA to achieve systematic flow and management of project in the best way possible.
The key advantage of project management function is that it allow the top levekl
management at NASA to identify proper scheduling against every project implemented by the
same. From the starting point to the final implementation stage project management task cover
all areas that can seek strategic development in project. Management at the NASA has further
experienced improvement in face of the fact that project management function clarify aim and
objectives set behind every project more strategically. This is the major benefit engagement get
against channelising this entire practice of project management.
Important to use PMS
Project management strategy provide significant level of advantage in process to
implement the entire project. Following are the different components associated with the project
management strategy that cater certain level of advantages to the organisation in order to
implement any of the project.
Support to identify project aim and objectives
Project management strategy support the management to clearly identify and fix the
project goal and objectives. NASA launches many projects and every time it needs to finalise
project goals and aim and objectives related to the project (Olsina and Becker, 2017). Aim and
objective behind every project is the backbone associated with every project that needed to
implement. All strategies further create reflect the aim and objectives set at this level.
Fund management
Financial resources are limited in number. Management at the NASA set budget for
every single project on the basis of its individual needs and requirements associated with such a

project. Financial resources are limited in number and the project management strategy further
support the organisation to implement all strategic choices in a specific limit (Eriksson, 2017).
Project management strategy further support the management to achieve complete control and
implementation in such manner that all strategies are implemented in such a specific value of
funds. This entire practice is the best way to manage the funds associated with organisation.
Performance planning
Project management strategy allow the organisation to conduct the performance planning
in regards to every single project undertake by the organisation. This involve finalising
performance indicator that can depict the success and failure of every single project undertaken
by organisation. Performance planning involve two different aspects one is to identify the key
performance indicator over every single project that is undertaken and the other one is to make
strategies that can maximise the level of outcome organisation is trying to generate against the
implementation of every project. Performance planning is another significant areas which
require implementation of performance management strategies.
Project constraints
Project management strategies allow the management of NASA to identify the different
constraints associated with the project. Every project implemented at the NASA conation
constraints like time, scope, cost, planning, scheduling, monitoring and control related
constraints. All these are the limitations associated with every project. In process to achieve the
best level of strategic outcomes against the project implemented it is crucial as a project
manager to cover up all these constraints associated with the project. The constants are the
limitation related to project implemented by the entity (Floyd and Wooldridge, 2017). The type
of project NASA held involve the role of probability that further expand the level of constraint
associated with the project. The direct relationship of project constraints is with the risk factor.
The financial resources are also occurred huge every time any project the organisation is held
which further maximises the financial risk involve in every project held by the organisation. It is
stated that in context to the project management for achieving overall objectives and aim behind
the prject it is important and crucial to overcome these constraints with support of different
strategic choices.
Project scope and team motivation in the context of Project management strategy

The NASA's goals and objectives are defined by its scope of the project. Project-
management is increasingly gaining importance to control and defining the business decisions.
The project scope includes all those requirements that are necessary to accomplish the specified
goals. The success of the project is evaluated through the indication of the time, cost, quality,
resources used and its scope. For NASA the management of the stakeholders expectations is a
challenge. Project scope should be clearly defined that will help the management of the NASA
to ensure that the tasks have performed in the timely manner and tracking of the progress
throughout the completion of the project (Papke-Shields and Boyer-Wright, 2017). A clearly
defined scope of the project will help NASA to implement change according to the constantly
changing environment, to provide direction to the project, proper utilisation of the resources,
meeting the deadlines of the project and obtaining the forecasted results. Factors that will
hindered the stages of the project can be defined with understanding of the scope of the project.
With management of the scope of the project helps to establish control over the factors that may
change in the project. While, team management is also an important element that is needed to be
address properly. Management of the relations and team motivation is recognised as success
factor. The success and failure of any project is depend upon the hard-work the team have done
in the project. Management of NASA should have to take steps to motivate their employees that
are as follows:
1. An open environment is created where team members easily exchange their views.
Professionals are feel free to express their thoughts and ideas. The employees are made
aware of their responsibilities which can be achieved through open communication.
2. Setting of clear and defined goals and objectives. Team leaders must assigns personal
responsibility and explain task properly as failure to do so would cause the entire team to
fail (Glazkova, 2021).
3. Increase trust among the team members as successful teams have strong bonding within
the group. Creation of the trust among the team will help in generating motivation and
satisfaction among the employees.
4. Failures are used as a direction of success. Successful managers know how to motivate
employees that are making mistakes and encourage learning within the member.
5. Encourage team-work as tasks can be effectively completed with all the members work
as a team.

6. Training and provide scope for further development as each person has its own personal
goals they have to follow. It will help them to grow and generate a sense of motivation.
By motivating the team members NASA's management will be able to execute the task of the
project in time with maintaining quality (Ul Musawir and et.al, 2017). Project management
process started with identifying the ability and characteristics of the team members. NASA is an
organisation that is known for its efficient and skilled employees. The projects that are
developed and handled by NASA are complex which require great team efforts and skills.
Defined scope and team motivation will help NASA to efficiently complete the task which will
in results leads the project to success.
The above mentioned project management strategic aspects allow the organisation to
reach at the final aim and objectives associated with the project. This is important for the
organisation to cover all different aspects related to project management in such manner that
organisation can reach at the final objective set behind any of the project task initiated.
PART 2
Introduction
Project management is defined as the process which assist in leading the project along
with whole team and result in successful completion of the project. The present project has made
the use of NASA’s Mars Climate Orbier which was a project made in order to study the Mars
from the orbit. This project was a failure and because of this reason it has been undertaken for
the present research. The current project will outline the reason of failure of this project and how
it could have been improved with help of project management technologies.
PMS in relation with failure of NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter
NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter was a project designed to analyse and study the Mars
from the orbit and to serve as the communication relay for the Deep Spaces probes and the Mars
Polar Lander (Radujković and Sjekavica, 2017). This mission was majorly unsuccessful because
of the reason that navigation error occurs caused by the failure of translating English units into
the metric. The Mars Climate Orbiter (MCO) was the second probe in Mars Surveyor program
by NASA which also involved Mars Global Surveyor launched in November 1996 and the Mars
Polar Lander launched in January 1999.
This Mars Climate Orbiter was designed in order to arrive at the same time as the Mars
Polar Lander came and to conduct a simultaneous investigation can be conducted relating to

Mars climate, surface and the atmosphere. In addition to this the satellite was also designed to
serve as the communication relay for the Mars Polar Lander. After this mission which lasted for
three months and the MCO have performed a two- year independent mission in order to monitor
the water vapour and the atmospheric dust. This also included the taking of the daily pictures
relating to the planet surface in order to construct evolutionary map relating to the climatic
changes at the Mars.
There were number of failures relating to the project management and these were the
major reason for the Mars Climate Orbiter project to fail. The major cause was that in this
project there were two teams involved and both were using the different system was
measurement. One team was making the use of measurement like metres, centimetre and the
kilograms. On the other side, the other team was using the measurement like pounds, feet and
inches. This was the major reason for the failure of the Mars Climate Orbiter project. In addition
to this another reason was that there has been inadequate consideration for the whole of the
mission or the project and the post- launch operation as a total system. This resulted in to the
fact that there was not any motivation for the people working on the project (Ika and et.al.,
2020). This is pertaining to the reason that there was not inadequate consideration being
provided for the whole of the mission.
Moreover, the other reason for the failure of the project of Mars Climate Orbiter was that
training and communication for the project was not consistent. This is particularly because of
the reason that when the communication will not be effective in the management of the project
then this will affect the working and completion of the project (Silvius, 2017). In addition to this
there are many different changes within the external environment and if for this the proper
training and knowledge will not be provided to the project team then this will affect the working
and successful completion of the project in effective and efficient manner. Furthermore, along
with this another reason for the failure of Mars Climate Orbiter project is that there was not any
complete end- to- end verification of navigation software and the related computer models.
Along with this major reason for the failure of the project of Mars Climate Orbiter was
that the project failed to set the clear success criteria for the outcome of the project. Hence, this
resulted in the failure of the project as the people working on the project were not having clear
idea is not provided relating to what are the outcome of the project.

With the analysis of the case study relating to the Mars Climate Orbiter it can be stated
that the methodology used for the project management was the traditional approach. This is
pertaining to the fact that the project just followed the five stages of the project management that
is initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and the closure. Under this only these steps are
followed and no change is applied other than this. Hence, because of this reason the project was
not that successful as they have to follow only the steps which are being defined in the starting.
Hence, with these reason it can be stated that the project management strategy failed for
Mars Climate Orbiter. Hence, in relation to the present case study of Mars Climate Orbiter the
major consideration relating to the Project Management Strategy (PMS) involves the following
considerations-
 The first thing which Mars Climate Orbiter must have focused was over the setting of the
project outcome in very clear and easy manner. This is pertaining to the reason that when
the outcome of the project is set in advance then the project team knows what they have
to do (Papke-Shields and Boyer-Wright, 2017). Hence, they will work in accordance to
attain the goals or the objective of the project.
 Along with this it is seen that if Mars Climate Orbiter have focused more of effective
communication then the working and success of the project will be there. The reason
underlying this fact is that when there will be clear and understandable communication
then this will definitely result in attainment of the objectives of the business.
 Moreover, another aspect to be addressed with relation with the PMS for the success of
the project of NASA is that they evaluate both the negative and positive aspect of all the
different decision and elements within the project management (Müller, Drouin and
Sankaran, 2019). This will assist NASA in order to find out that what repercussion can
be faced by the company if they do not follow the working in the same and intended
manner.
 Furthermore, the compliance with latest training and enhancing knowledge of the people
working on the project is also a good strategy in relation to management of PMS. This is
pertaining to the reason that there are many different types of the changes taking place in
the external environment and these may affect the working of the people within the
project management team. Hence, NASA must provide time to time training to the

project management team so that all the people are having proper knowledge relating to
the latest changes within external environment.
 Along with this for the success of the project NASA must undertake the Agile approach
of project management strategy. This is particularly because of the reason that when the
company will be following agile then the project will be successful. This is pertaining to
the fact that this is a general approach which is used to manage the project and has a
major focus over the collaboration and team work along with flexibility relating to
responding the changes taking place within the external environment.
Prince 2
This is an old methodology associated with the project management. This method of
project method involves multiple methods and techniques to manage the whole project. This
model gives emphasis over the business justification, defining structure, and also exploring the
product based approach to implement the whole project management practice. This practice
involves dividing the whole project into manageable and controllable stages with flexibility.
This is an old technique used in project management practices.
Scrum
This is a technology under project management, which emphasizes majorly over the team work
and accountability of every member for the successful completion of the work. The major three
pillars of the scrum project management technique are transparency, adaption and inspection.
All these three pillars aims at improving the project management and this will definitely affect
and improve the working and attainment of the objectives of the business. The major benefit of
using scrum technology is that it majorly focuses on the collaboration of the working of project
and daily communication which leads to effective management of the project.
Agile methodology used to align business with strategy
Agile methodology is widely used around the globe. Choosing of the type of
methodology and its adaptation is depended upon the type of project, company and the
employees skills. Agile methodology is a process that is used to manage projects (Rasnacis and
Berzisa, 2017). Several stages of the project is created and continuous development and
improvement is made at each stage of the project. Process of method creation based on research
design which contains:

 Identification of the problem: is a stage where preparation of the methodology is made.
The scope of the project is been find out and the employees are persuaded about their
skills and abilities. The importance of the agile methodology and the project is
explained.
 Analysis of the employees skills: employees motivation, interpersonal relationships,
formal and informal groups and the what roles the employees will be performed in the
agile methodology is examined. Information are collected from the employees through
conducting surveys and analysis of the data gather is performed.
 Selection of the project management methodology: in this stage the previously used
and existing agile method is selected. As its advantages and disadvantages is previously
known it is easy for the management to develop or adapt a new agile methodology to
implement on the project (Kononenko and Lutsenko, 2019). Selection of the
methodology will be done on suitability of the agile method for NASA, employees and
the project.
 Adaptation of the technology: the requirements of the team is gather and the
implementation of the method accordingly will help get better results. In the adaptation
stage conflicts between the methodology implemented and NASA employees
characteristics and the principles were arise. To properly adapt the methodology
elements of the project management methodology are analysed i.e. abilities, processes,
roles, practices and responsibilities.
 Implementation of the methodology: at this stage the implementation of the chosen
model is done. The results of the implementation are continuously monitored and new
strategies are formed on the basis of the outcome.
At the end when the smooth transition of the agile methodology is made. The NASA's
management is started to train and educate the team about the roles and responsibilities they
have. Regular meetings are conducted to analyse the performance and new strategies are made
to help the employees smoothly transition of their roles in the chosen agile method. The agile
method provide growing and continuous approach to the development of the project. It helps in
fixing of the errors in the mid-phase of the project (Agile Project Management, 2021). At every
stage of the project testing is done and changes according to the result of testing is made in that

stage to bring improvement. To apply agile methodology close communication with the
employees and the stakeholders is required which help in the planning of the process further.
The use of agile approach of PMS will be helpful to the company and the project team as
well. The benefits and drawbacks of the use of agile methodology for both company and project
team are as follows-
For business
Advantages
 The advantage of using this approach is by NASA is that wastage of resources will be
reduced as it works on updated tasks.
 With help of this approach of PMS NASA can adapt to the changes in better and
effective manner and respond to these changes in positive manner which result in better
outcome of the project completion. Along with this another benefit of the use of agile methodology of PMS is that NASA
can experiment and test their different ideas as the cost is very low.
Disadvantages
 The major drawback of using agile methodology for project completion in NASA is that
the documentation is side- tracked and this makes it harder for the people of project to
work on time (Advantages and disadvantages of agile project management, 2021).
 This methodology is not good as this demand for more time and energy and because of
this the project may delay. Another drawback of use of agile methodology is that it is difficult to measure the
progress as compared to the waterfall method.
For project team
Advantages
 The major benefit of agile methodology for the project team is that they can get the
immediate feedback on their work. Hence, this assist them in knowing their good points
and bad points.
 In addition to this another benefit to project team is that the project developers can
improve their skills as it is based on the QA feedback type. Under this method the face to face communication is the better option and because of
this communication skills of the project team will improve and increase

Disadvantages
 The major drawback for the project team because of use of agile methodology is that this
requires more time and commitment from the side of the project team.
 Along with this another drawback is the lack of necessary documentation and this is the
drawback for the project team as this will take time to organize the resources.
 Under this method only the senior programmers are in position to take the decision
relating to development process. Hence, this can cause demotivation among the other
project team and can affect their working capacity.
Conclusion
The reason for selecting this project was that it is a failed project and this will assist in
development of the knowledge relating to the fact that how the project failed. With the study it
was found that the project was a failure because of the reason that there was not any effective
training and communication, improper planning and many other reasons. Hence, in the end it
can be concluded that for a successful project management it is essential that effective project
management methodology is being selected like agile, scrum, Prince 2 and others.

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