1) How could risk management have aided in the development of the Comet?
2) Discuss the various types of risk (technical, financial, commercial, etc.) in relation to the Comet. Develop a qualitative risk matrix for these risk factors and assess them in terms of probability and consequences.
3) Given that a modified version of the Comet (the Comet IV) was used until recently by the British government as an antisubmarine warfare aircraft, it is clear that the design flaws could have been corrected given enough time. What, then, do you see as de Havilland’s critical error in the development of the Comet?
4) Comment on this statement: “Failure is the price we pay for technological advancement.”
The de Havilland story is a fascinating example of a well-respected organization that sought to be first to market with a radical new technology and cut some important safety corners with disastrous results. The story highlights the problem of when design innovations are pushed too far, too quickly. With its unique design and all the additional features that made it radical, the Comet should have been slowly integrated into production and use instead of being rushed to market. De Havilland knew that Boeing was at work on its own design, the 707, and felt the need to be first to market. In this rush, they cut a number of safety corners with disastrous results.