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In this tutorial, you will navigate the SPI dashboard, read indicator cards, and respond to performance alerts in your Safety Management System. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to monitor your organization’s safety performance at a glance and take appropriate action when indicators move outside acceptable thresholds.
Who should do this tutorial? Safety Managers and accountable executives who are responsible for monitoring safety performance. Operations managers and department leads also benefit from understanding SPIs relevant to their area. You will need Safety Manager or Admin permissions to configure SPIs, but anyone with SMS access can view them.

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Before you start

Make sure you have:
  • An active PlaneConnection account with access to the SMS module
  • Some operational data in your workspace (reports, investigations, CPAs, or flight records) so the indicators have values to display
  • Familiarity with the SMS module navigation (see the Quickstart)
Why do SPIs matter? Per 14 CFR 5.71, your SMS must include processes to monitor safety performance and measure safety management activities. SPIs are how you meet this requirement — they provide objective, measurable evidence that your safety controls are effective and your safety posture is stable or improving.

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What happens next

As your organization accumulates more operational data, your SPIs become increasingly valuable:
  1. Trend identification. Over time, patterns emerge — seasonal trends, fleet-specific issues, or recurring human factors themes.
  2. Target refinement. As you build a performance baseline, you can adjust targets and thresholds to be more meaningful for your specific operation.
  3. Regulatory evidence. Your SPI history provides the continuous monitoring evidence required by 14 CFR 5.71 and demonstrates proactive safety management during FAA surveillance.
  4. Safety culture feedback. Sharing SPI trends with your team reinforces the message that safety performance is measured, visible, and valued.

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Next steps

SPI Definitions

Full reference for all built-in SPIs, their calculations, and default thresholds.

Configure SPIs

Learn how to customize targets, thresholds, and alert rules for your organization.

Understanding Safety Performance

Learn the theory behind safety performance monitoring and why it matters.

Run a Safety Committee Meeting

Use SPI data to drive your safety committee agenda and decisions.
Last modified on April 11, 2026