Module: Contingency Management for Aviation

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Contingency Management for Aviation
Module Code	MNA1014 (ITS: MT321)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Contingency Management will introduce students to a number of core areas of aviation management including Operational Risk Management, Crisis/ Emergency Management and Business Continuity Management (BCM).

Learning Outcomes

1. identify and evaluate the theory which underpins effective risk, incident and business continuity management
2. appreciate how this theory may be applied to the Aviation industry with a view to building more resilient organisations
3. complete a practical risk assessment within the aviation sector
4. develop appropriate and sustainable mitigation measures, incident management and business continuity plans to address the key risks faced within the aviation industry

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Directed learning	5	Pre-Class Activities
Assignment Completion	50	Individual and group activities
Independent Study	46	Independent Study
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21141	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Gavin Brown	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Individual Activity - considering international current practice, each student applies the risk assessment methodology (as per ISO 31000:2018) to an aviation organisation.	35%	Sem 2 End
Short Answer Questions	Individual Activity - problem scenario. Students engage with academic theory and literature to frame their answer – as well as consider real-world influences. Students must prepare a response to the problem scenario using about 1000 words, excluding references.	35%	Other
Group project	Group Activity - problem scenario. Students engage with academic theory and literature to frame their answer – as well as consider real-world influences. Students must prepare a response to the problem scenario using about 3000 words, excluding references.	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction
Developing organisational resilience. Examining Emergency, Crisis, Risk, and Business Continuity Management, their differences and how they fit together (in terms of aviation management) Key definitions and terminology related to risk management, business continuity management, and crisis (emergency) management. Global risk landscape - aviation management

Risk Management
(1) Overview of Risk Management What is risk?; Fundamental principles of risk management - benefits of risk management (2a) The risk management process (Establish Context; Identify risks; Analyse Risk [Likelihood & Impact]; Evaluate Risk; Treat Risk (Mitigation). (2b) Implementation of Safety (Risk) Management Systems in the Aviation Industry. Develop effective and pro-active Safety (Risk) Management Systems in compliance with ICAO /FAA regulators requirements. - Safety Culture (3) Organisational Resilience - Integrating Risk Management and Corporate Sustainability in the Aviation Industry - Introduction to Corporate Sustainability Management. - Black Swans (dealing with uncertainties) - Impact of Global Warming on Aviation Business and Management. - Resilience (Sustainability) Issues in Aviation Management - From Risk to Resilience (2020 to 2030 shift)

Contingency (Crisis) Management
(1) Crisis Management: Theory and Regulations (Emergency management in Ireland / Global) (2) Crisis/Emergency lifecycle (stages of a crisis): Crisis management theory to practice - management of aviation incidents - current practice - planning & preparedness - training & exercising - information management (theory) - crisis/disaster recovery (3) Developing a Crisis Management Plan - Components of an Crisis Management Plan & Annexes within the plan.

Business Continuity Management
(1) Fundamentals of B.C.M. -BCM Framework and history (2) BCM Methodology: planning and analysis -Core Competencies of BCM (3) Business continuity management systems (ISO 22301) - Implement, maintain and improve a BCMS in aviation industry - Application of BCMS in aviation management (enhanced resilience)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Coppola, D.: 2015, Introduction to International Disaster Management, 3rd, Butterworth-Heinemann, USA,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: ISO, ISO, 2019, ISO 22301:2019: Business continuity management systems — Requirements,
414443: 1, ISO, ISO, 2020, ISO 22313:2020 Business continuity management systems — Guidance,
414444: 1, ISO, ISO, 2018, ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines,
414445: 1, ISO, ISO, 2019, IEC 31010:2019 Risk management — Risk assessment techniques,
414446: 1, ICAO, ICAO, 2018, Doc 9859 - Safety Management Manual, Fourth Edition,
414447: 1, ACI, ACI, 2019, Airport Business Continuity Management Handbook,

Updated for 2021/22