Readiness for Confirmation

DOE-HDBK-1148-2002

12.2

Readiness for Confirmation

The WSS set is ready for confirmation when the Process participants (including the Process

Leader, the Identification Team, and the Convened Group) are satisfied that they can

demonstrate fidelity to the Process; can justify that the WSS set will afford reasonable

assurance of adequate protection for workers, the public, and the environment; and that the

WSS set is feasible for implementation. This means that confirmation may begin when, in their

view, the Process participants have completed, documented, and are prepared to report the

results of their use of the N&S Process.

Confirmation itself is neither a self-assessment nor a forum for adjudicating issues unresolved

by the Identification Team. Self-assessments of the Process and its results can be of great

value and should be conducted prior to confirmation. Such self-assessments (sometimes

referred to as "murder boards") should be rigorous to ensure the WSS set and Process

documentation are ready to withstand scrutiny by the Confirmation Team. Issues or questions

raised during confirmation should be resolved between the Confirmation and Identification

Teams, or if necessary, with the Convened Group. Confirmation itself should not be undertaken

until all participants, including the Convened Group, are satisfied that all previous process

elements have been fully completed and appropriately documented. A sample of evaluation

criteria to be used in the development of self-assessment programs for evaluating the

performance of the N&S Process and confirming readiness is provided in Appendix G.

Experience with the Process has demonstrated that on occasion readiness for confirmation is

judged primarily against the adequacy of the WSS set and at the expense of demonstration that

implementation of the set will be feasible. The Confirmation Team may lack the Identification

Team's familiarity with local infrastructures for planning and doing work. Confirmers may benefit

from briefings or documentation regarding the "as is" condition that is the foundation upon which

the new WSS set will be laid.

12.3

Role of the Identification Team

The work of the Identification Team, including their documentation, provides the starting point

for confirmation as well as approval of the WSS set. It is essential for the Identification Team to