Project Management – Summer 2022

Assignment 7: Hussam Dawood Al-Areeqi [ID: 62030123]

Case Study (7.1):

Classic Case: De Havilland’s Falling Comet

Questions:
1. How could risk management have aided in the development of the Comet?
De Havilland's aircraft design was so exciting and technologically motivated that other
safety considerations were overlooked in the race to get it done. There were suitable
features including tour engines in the wings root, a Pressurized cabin to keep
passengers comfortable, and square windows in the original comet.
It was the lack of proper safety standards when a new aircraft was developed, and its
characteristics were enhanced above the allowed limit that set the stage for the tragic
event that took place. With so much innovation in a single design and a lack of
attention to risk assessment and management, they must have overlooked these
areas. Even the design testing was less than sufficient. Several mitigating controls
that might have a negative impact on the overall performance of the aircraft were also
overlooked.

2. Discuss the various types of risk (technical, finan cial, commercial, etc.) in relation to
the Comet .Develop a qualitative risk matrix for these risk fac tors and assess them
in terms of probability and consequences.
(Business Risk)
To succeed, you have to take risks. It has the power to make or ruin a new idea. When
it came to Comet, there were several dangers to consider.
(Technical Risk)
For the new aircraft, the comet failed to evaluate the true norms of technological risk.
Comet's development was motivated more by publicity than by concern for quality.
 Project Management – Summer 2022
Assignment 7: Hussam Dawood Al-Areeqi [ID: 62030123]

They sought to construct an exceptionally distinctive aircraft, but the engineers at

DeHavilland did not take into account all of the probable problems that may have
arisen from the design of this comet. The comet had a disastrous effect on the risk
matrix in terms of technological considerations. Several people were killed as a result
of the incident.

(Financial Risk)
The creation of comet cost De Havilland a lot of money. However, they failed to
account for the costs associated in evaluating the safety of brand-new airplanes. Due
to this, aircraft production was hampered by a lack of proper consideration for
investment financing.

(Commercial Risk)
Commercially, the comet was a failure as well since it failed to provide the revenue
expected at the time of its creation. Eventually, the comet was ejected from the
aviation market due to a history of mishaps.

3. Comment on this statement: “Failure is the price we pay for technological

advancement.”

There is no doubt that technological advancement requires a great deal of efforts and
risks to be taken, without which these advancements wouldn’t be possible. Besides,
failure at first is a possible outcome of these trials. However, the higher the risk, the
greater the return to be expected.