Depending the type of assignment, relevant elements of the following methods will be employed: 

• Integral analysis of operational systems data:
• • surveillance data
  • flight plan data and controller inputs
  • output and internal recordings of automation functions
  • ground-ground or air-ground datalink communications
  • weather data (prevailing winds (aloft), special conditions)
• The data analysis will support and be combined with operational analysis of :
• • current practices
  • procedures
  • ATM systems use
  • traffic characteristics and profiles
  • airspace design (including STARs, Transitions and profile constraints)
  • fuel burn impact
  • capacity impact

Some of these activities are performed by attending operations on the ops-floor, discussions with controllers, system/software-engineers, airline representatives and pilots as required.  

The result of the integral analysis activities above may consist of a variety of deliverables as appropriate for the task at hand. An illustration of these deliverables is given below.

• If part of the Operational Concept still need to be defined, this activity will support further concept development. If required, the operational concept description will be developed or updated.
• Performance indicators for system behavior, decision support tools, operational practices, flight efficiency, etc.
• System requirements or production-level specifications of new or enhanced functions, for example an Extended Arrival Manager, algorithmic improvements of a support tool.
• Tuning of operational functions (for example: Trajectory Prediction).
• Report of functional performance and utility of automation functions (including discrepancies with operating practices).
• Definitions of modifications or additions to operating procedures, in combination with system changes.
• Report on traffic profile efficiency, metering efficiency and fuel impact.
• Training of operational staff on use of existing or modified system functionality.