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In this tutorial, you will create a Corrective and Preventive Action (CPA), assign it to an owner, track its progress through the lifecycle, and close it after verification. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a CPA that has moved through its full lifecycle — from Open to Closed — with evidence attached and effectiveness verified.
Who should do this tutorial? Safety Managers who create and oversee CPAs, and anyone who may be assigned as a CPA owner or verifier. You will need Safety Manager or Admin permissions to create CPAs. Any workspace member can be assigned as an owner.

Before you start

Make sure you have:
  • An active PlaneConnection account with Safety Manager or Admin role
  • At least one completed investigation with recommendations (see Run Your First Investigation), or an identified hazard that needs corrective action
  • Familiarity with the SMS module navigation (see the Quickstart)
A Corrective action fixes an existing problem. A Preventive action prevents a potential one. See CPA Lifecycle for full definitions and business rules.

Creating and tracking the CPA

What happens next

After a CPA is closed, it becomes part of your organization’s safety performance record:
  1. Dashboard metrics update. The CPA dashboard reflects the closure, and on-time completion rates are recalculated.
  2. Linked records update. The originating investigation and any linked risk assessments reflect the completed action.
  3. Trend analysis. CPA data feeds into your Safety Performance Indicators — metrics like average time to close, overdue rates, and recurrence rates help you assess SMS effectiveness.
  4. Audit evidence. Closed CPAs with attached evidence serve as compliance documentation during FAA surveillance.

Next steps

How to Create and Track CPAs

Detailed reference for all CPA fields, statuses, and workflows.

CPA Lifecycle

Full reference for CPA statuses, transitions, and business rules.

Monitor Safety Performance with SPIs

See how CPA metrics feed into your safety performance indicators.

Prepare for a Compliance Audit

Learn how closed CPAs serve as evidence during FAA audits.
Last modified on April 11, 2026