Conducting the NESS

DOE-STD-3015-2004

Until the NESSG personnel reach a consensus that the input is adequate, and NESSG

personnel and the project team determine any additional preparation time needed, the

NESS start date and schedule are tentative.

Preparation for, and conduct of, a NESS is the primary responsibility of the NESSG

personnel, and TAs participating in a NESS, for the timeframe required to support the

NESS. Conflicts must be resolved in favor of NESS duties from the date the input

documentation is available until conclusion of the NESS.

NNSA line management organizations establish NESS readiness criteria. The project

team and line management organizations must provide a formal declaration of

readiness based on these criteria.

8.2.4 CONDUCTING THE NESS

Six key elements central to the conduct of a NESS are briefings, demonstrations,

deliberations, report generation, feedback, and validation. These six elements may

occur serially, overlap, or be modified in content based on the scope of the NESS and

planning meeting decisions. During the conduct of the NESS, NESSG personnel

evaluate the entire process and complete suite of controls against the three DOE NES

Standards, and other NES criteria, and may identify issues for discussion.

8.2.4.1

BRIEFINGS

NESS briefings are the presentation of information by various subject matter

experts covering key information from the input documentation. In effect, these

briefings are an oral defense of the proposed NEOs. NESSG personnel may

request briefings at the planning meetings or during the conduct of the NESS.

Briefings are intended to ensure a common understanding of the NEO being

evaluated and provide a forum for discussion. NESSG personnel will critically

consider the briefings, question or challenge the briefers, and identify potential