The Computer-Based Procedure (CBP) research effort is a part of the Light-Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program, which is a research and development (R&D) program sponsored by Department of Energy (DOE) and performed in close collaboration with industry R&D programs that provides the technical foundations for licensing and managing the long-term, safe, and economical operation of current nuclear power plants. One of the primary missions of the LWRS program is to help the U.S. nuclear industry adopt new technologies and engineering solutions that facilitate the continued safe operation of the plants and extension of the current operating licenses.

Paper-based procedures (PBPs) are used to manage human performance in the nuclear power industry both in the field, and in the main control room. Though PBPs are viewed as a necessary tool to guide operators through complex tasks, limitations in paper-based systems may increase operator workload and contribute to errors. Plans to upgrade aging plants with digital equipment and wireless technology may present an opportunity to enhance procedures by migrating them to computer-based systems. These computer-based procedures (CBPs) have the potential to enhance human performance by integrating plant status information and automating many tasks (e.g., place-keeping). CBPs have been explored for more than 30 years for use in the main control room; however their actual deployment in the US nuclear plants is yet to be realized. Currently, the Idaho National Laboratory and participants from the nuclear industry are collaborating on a research effort aimed at identifying requirements for CBPs used by field operators. This paper describes the first step in that effort: a qualitative study and the development of a Model of Procedure Usage.

The work management process in current fleets of national nuclear power plants (NPPs) is so highly dependent on large technical staffs and quality of work instruction, that it puts nuclear energy at somewhat of a long-term economic disadvantage and increases the possibility of human errors. Technologies such as mobile portable devices and computer-based procedures can play a key role in improving the plant work management process, thereby increasing productivity and decreasing cost. Automated work package (AWP) is a fundamentally enabling technology for improving worker productivity and human performance in NPP work activities because virtually every plant work activity is accomplished using some form of a work package. As part of this year's research effort, the architecture of AWP is identified along with an initial set of requirements, both of which are essential and necessary for implementation of AWPs in NPPs.

The Control Room Modernization (CRM) research effort is a part of the Light-Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program, which is a research and development program sponsored by Department of Energy (DOE) and performed in close collaboration with industry research and development programs that provides the technical foundations for licensing and managing the long-term, safe, and economical operation of current nuclear power plants. One of the primary missions of the LWRS program is to help the U.S. nuclear industry adopt new technologies and engineering solutions that facilitate the continued safe operation of the plants and extension of the current operating licenses. This report describes the background and technical basis for an end-state vision design philosophy for and advanced hybrid control room.

T he nuclear industry is currently designing and buildin g a new generation of reactors that will include different structural, funct ional, and environmental aspects, all of which are likely to have a significant impact on the way these plants are operated. In order to meet economic and safety objectives, these new reactors will all utilize advanced technologies to some extent , including new materials and advanced digital instrumentation and control systems. New technologies will affect not only operational strategies, but will also require a new approach to how functions are allocated to humans or machines to ensure optimal performance. Uncertainty about the effect of large-scale changes in plant design will remain until sound technical bases are developed for new operational concepts and strategies. Up-to-date models and guidance are needed for the development of operational concepts for complex socio-technical systems. T his report describes how the classical Work Domain Analysis method has been adapted to develop operational concept frameworks for new plants. T his adaptation of the method is better able to deal with the uncertainty and incomplete information typical of first-of-a-kind designs. Practical examples are provided of the systematic application of the method in the operational analysis of sodium-cooled reactors. Insights from this application and its utility are reviewed and arguments for the formal adoption of Work Domain Analysis as a value-added part of the Systems Engineering process are presented. NOT E: It is assumed that readers are familiar with previous milestone reports; hence, some important background information that would have added substantially to the bulk of this report has been omitted. References to previous reports are included where relevant. StrAn Strategies Analysis