Scenario: Boeing 737 Max Crashes

Communication Process Model

The communication process model is a framework for understanding how communication works. It consists of the following steps:

1. Sender: The sender is the person who initiates the communication.
2. Encoding: The sender encodes their message into a form that can be understood by the receiver.
3. Message: The message is the information that is being communicated.
4. Channel: The channel is the medium through which the message is transmitted.
5. Decoding: The receiver decodes the message into a form that they can understand.
6. Receiver: The receiver is the person who receives the communication.
7. Feedback: Feedback is the receiver’s response to the communication.

Barriers to Communication

The following are some of the barriers to communication that can occur at each step of the communication process:

• Sender: The sender may not have a clear understanding of what they want to communicate. They may also be biased or prejudiced, which can affect their communication.
• Encoding: The sender may not encode their message effectively. For example, they may use jargon or technical language that the receiver does not understand.
• Message: The message may be too complex or too long. It may also be ambiguous or contradictory.
• Channel: The channel may be noisy or unreliable. For example, if the sender and receiver are in different time zones, it may be difficult to communicate effectively.
• Decoding: The receiver may not decode the message correctly. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and personal biases.
• Receiver: The receiver may not be paying attention or may be distracted. They may also be biased or prejudiced, which can affect their interpretation of the message.
• Feedback: The receiver may not provide feedback or may provide feedback that is not constructive.

Analysis of Boeing 737 Max Crashes

The Boeing 737 Max crashes were caused by a number of factors, including communication failures.

Sender: Boeing was the sender of the communication in this case. Boeing was aware of the potential dangers of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), but it did not communicate this information to pilots or airlines in a clear and timely manner.

Encoding: Boeing encoded its messages about the MCAS in a way that was difficult for pilots to understand. For example, Boeing did not mention the MCAS in the pilot manual.

Message: The message from Boeing about the MCAS was ambiguous and contradictory. Boeing told pilots that the MCAS was a safety feature, but it did not disclose the full extent of its capabilities or the potential dangers.

Channel: The channel for communication between Boeing and pilots was complex and inefficient. Boeing used a variety of channels to communicate with pilots, including email, training manuals, and service bulletins. This made it difficult for pilots to stay informed about the latest changes to the MCAS.

Decoding: Pilots may not have decoded Boeing’s messages about the MCAS correctly. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and personal biases.

Receiver: Pilots were the receivers of the communication in this case. Pilots may have been distracted or under pressure, which can make it difficult to decode messages accurately.

Feedback: Pilots provided feedback to Boeing about the MCAS, but Boeing did not respond to this feedback in a timely manner.

Overcoming the Barriers

Boeing has taken steps to overcome the barriers to communication that contributed to the Boeing 737 Max crashes. For example, Boeing has updated the pilot manual to include information about the MCAS and has provided additional training to pilots about the MCAS. Boeing has also improved its communication with airlines and regulators.

However, there are still some barriers to communication that need to be addressed. For example, the channel for communication between Boeing and pilots is still complex and inefficient. Additionally, Boeing needs to be more responsive to feedback from pilots.

Conclusion

The Boeing 737 Max crashes are a tragic example of the consequences of communication failures. By understanding the communication process and the barriers to communication, we can learn from these mistakes and prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

In addition to the barriers to communication listed above, other factors such as political polarization and globalization can also contribute to communication failures in the workplace. Political polarization can lead to people being closed-minded and unwilling to listen to different perspectives. Globalization can lead to language barriers and cultural differences, which can make it difficult for people to communicate effectively.

It is important to be aware of the barriers to communication and to take steps to overcome them. By doing so, we can improve communication in the workplace and create a more inclusive and productive environment.