Thomas R. Kindervater, PECenter for Operator Performance

David A. Strobhar, PEBeville Engineering / Center for Operator Performance

Semantic Procedure Analysis:Modularizing Operating Procedures for More Efficient Use and Comprehensive Updating

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Performance Shaping Factors

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• Make knowledge more accessible

• Improve operator performance

Operational Knowledge _> Procedures

• Retain tacit knowledge

• Combine with explicit knowledge

Knowledge Managemen

t

Knowledge Capture

Knowledge Presentation

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• Normal Procedures• Emergency Procedures• All contain steps and tasks for console

and field operators• Collectively, establish unit operator

responsibilities for planned operational changes and abnormal situations

Operating Procedures

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• Increasing industry emphasis­Expanding number­Growing depth of details

• Used for operation and training• Updating is labor intensive• Multiple authors­Different terminology­Prone to inconsistencies for tasks common to

multiple procedures

• Absence of tacit knowledge

Current Challenges

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• Identify procedural modules (“chunking”)­Related tasks­Supporting information

• Establish common terminology• Index modules used by procedures• Store modules and indexes in database• Use database to:­Maintain and update modules­Publish updated procedures

Solution

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Semantic Procedure Analyzer

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Cleansed & Tagged Output

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• Establish common terminology­Replace variations with preferred naming for:

Equipment names Equipment ID Operator designations Actions States

• Add operator experience (tacit knowledge)­Insert information associated with a task / step­Augment conditional statements

Expert Operator Review

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Module “Chunking” Output

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Final SPA Output

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• One plant ­15 Emergency procedures­40 pages of text

• Initial Module chunking, minimal review­62 modules­291 instructions

Results – Application of Semantic Procedure Analysis

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• Module chunking with experienced operator review of chunks and terminology­22 modules­179 instructions

• Only 10% of content was unique• Unique content fits on 4 pages• Material needing review to update all 15

procedures was reduced by 90%

Results – Application of Semantic Procedure Analysis

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• Substantial reduction in content to review• Consistent terminology among procedures­Reduces potential confusion­Reinforces common tasks­Improves knowledge transfer to less

experienced operators

• Database storage­Efficient environment for updating modules­Can customize procedures for training versus

operations or by specific position­Supports electronic transfer to point of use

Benefits

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