Civil aviation contributes over $900 billion to the U.S. economy annually and the cost of securing U.S. aviation against criminal and terrorist attack runs in the billions of dollars. Therefore, it is critical to use appropriate metrics in managing the security policy and programs. Nonetheless, aviation security has typically evolved haphazardly as a reaction to changing criminal events, often resulting in widespread controversy. The U.S. Government Accountability Office and the media have questioned many Transportation Security Administration procedures. This thesis uses formative program evaluation and policy analysis to investigate current assessment of airport security programs. It identifies innovative public administration and policy-analysis tools that could provide potential benefit to airport security. These tools will complement the System Based Risk Management framework if the Transportation Security Administration involves more stakeholders in collecting and analyzing pertinent data, proactive planning, and developing solutions.