How Crew Management Systems in Aviation Can Help Product Teams Take Flight
By Giulia Pizzignacco, who stumbled into aviation one day and never turned back.
I’ll confess: airplanes didn’t always fascinate me. They were just those big tubes I boarded to visit family or soak up some sun. Then, about five years ago, I stumbled onto an aviation YouTube channel—and I was hooked. One of the biggest lessons I learned? Flying is rarely about a single “hero pilot. ” It’s about everyone in the cockpit—captain, co-pilot, flight attendants—pitching in, speaking up, and following clear protocols to prevent minor issues from turning into disaster. That approach has a name: Crew Resource Management (CRM). And it goes far beyond the runway. CRM principles can transform how product and tech teams communicate, solve problems, and ship great features.
Flatten the Hierarchy
In 1977, two Boeing 747s collided on a fog-covered runway at Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife, leading to one of the deadliest aviation disasters in history. Investigations revealed that a rigid, top-down cockpit culture was a key factor: a senior captain, eager to depart, initiated takeoff prematurely without clear instructions, while his co-pilot and flight engineer—reluctant to challenge his authority—failed to intervene effectively.
There's a saying in aviation that no lives are lost in vain; every tragedy offers a hard-earned lesson that prompts change. In response, Crew Resource Management (CRM) was introduced to encourage open communication and empower every crew member to speak up when something doesn't seem right.
Today, this lesson is just as important in the tech world. When only the senior voices are heard, it’s all too easy to miss the little things that add up. That's why it's so crucial to create an atmosphere where everyone—from new hires to QA testers and UX designers—feels comfortable speaking up. That open dialogue can catch issues before they grow into a major system glitch. Simply put, every voice matters, and that one insight might be the fix that keeps everything running smoothly.
Communicate Clearly and Early
Aviation has crystal-clear rules about radio calls, status updates, and confirmations. CRM demands consistent, precise exchanges so no one guesses or assumes. In product teams, the equivalent is easy-to-follow documentation, concise stand-ups, and explicit acceptance criteria.
Takeaway: If your QA sees a security gap, or the designer is missing final specs, raise it right.
Use Checklists to Keep Tiny Glitches in Check
Pilots use multiple checklists—pre-flight, takeoff, approach, landing—to avoid small oversights that could escalate. In product development, checklists can be as simple as “code review, QA sign-off, and load tests before release. ” They may not feel glamorous, but structured processes help catch issues while they’re still manageable.
Takeaway: A short, standardized process can prevent a world of hurt. Consistency beats chaos.
Align on the Mission—but Speak Up if You See Trouble
CRM trains crew members to keep the shared goal (safe flight) front and center. Likewise, a product team wants to ship a feature that delights users and meets business needs. But if anyone senses a problem—performance, usability, security—they have a responsibility to voice it.
Takeaway: Never let a misguided notion of “not rocking the boat” keep you silent. Sometimes, that one alert can save the entire project.
Respect Deadlines, But Don’t Fly Blind
In aviation, you don’t take off if the plane isn’t ready—period. In tech, we often face the “we have to release by Friday” pressure. Yet, pushing a half-baked feature can create more work (and bad user experiences) down the line.
Takeaway: If time is tight, consider launching a limited-scope project or negotiating for a brief extension. It's better to land safely than crash under deadline stress.
Bringing It All Home
At its core, Crew Resource Management is about building a culture where clear communication, mutual respect, and meticulous processes thrive. It’s why modern aviation is safer than ever—and why product and tech teams have plenty to learn from how flight crews operate. By flattening hierarchies, fostering open dialogue, and catching minor problems before they snowball, you won’t just ship better products. You’ll also build a happier, more resilient team and truly ready for takeoff.
