Foreword - hdbk11030003

DOE-HDBK-1103-96

FOREWORD

The purpose of this Handbook is to establish guidelines for training personnel in developing

training for operation, maintenance, and technical support personnel at Department of E nergy

(DOE) nuclear facilities.

Table-Top methods can be used for many purposes, but the focus of this Handbook is needs

analysis. Department of Energy (DOE) Orders 5480.18B, Nuclear Facility Training

Accreditation Program, and 5480.20A, Personnel Selection, Qualification, and Training

Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, stress the importance of basing training programs

on a systematic approach. An integral part of any systematically-developed training program

includes determining the most cost-effective training and non-training solutions for challenges

that may impact the content of training programs (e.g., new DOE Order requirements; new

policies/procedures; human performance problems; management and information systems;

new equipment, facility modifications, or tools; requests for training). Table-Top Needs

Analysis (TTNA) is one systematic method that can be used by DOE contractor organizations

to achieve a cost-effective and high quality training program.

While TTNA is not the only method of needs analysis, when conducted properly, TTNA can be

cost effective, efficient, and self-validating. TTNA helps to effectively ensure that training

program content creates competent employees, resolves existing and potential performance

problems, and ensures that the environment in which employees work does not inhibit their

ability to perform their work competently.

DOE contractors should not feel obligated to adopt all parts of this Handbook. Instead,

information from this Handbook can be used to conduct needs analysis as the information and

methods apply. Operating contractors are encouraged to use good practices selectively in

developing or improving programs to meet the specific needs of their facility.

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