Interpreting

DOE-HDBK-1202-97

3.3 Interpreting

The information obtained during monitoring activities is vital to facility personnel. Once

available, information must be processed and analyzed by the team to enable them to

determine status and needed direction. The logical process by which a team analyzes this

information relies heavily on the team's technical knowledge, experience, and interpretation

skills. Technical knowledge and experience are gained and reinforced through training

activities and time on the job. The development and reinforcement of interpretation skills

through simulator and/or laboratory training enables personnel to use their knowledge and

experience to ensure safe operation. Interpretation activities conducted by personnel

identify possible causes for abnormalities and indicate the most probable cause and

procedure path. This process allows them to attack the problem at its source. By using a

systematic approach, team personnel can develop confidence in the selected action path.

Training to develop and improve individual and team ability to interpret information should be

included in both initial and continuing training. Classroom fundamentals, laboratory

exercises, simulator, and on-the-job training should be developed and implemented to

enable personnel to perform the following:

Analyze available information to differentiate among a variety of problems

and situations

Describe a problem precisely using location, severity, and trending

Locate information resources available to assist in identifying possible causes

Analyze possible causes to determine the most probable cause

Integrate information on an ongoing basis to revise interpretation

Recognize the role of team members in determining causes of events.

3.4 Intervention

The ability to gather, evaluate, analyze, and respond to information enables team members

to function during both normal and abnormal conditions. Once the team has identified a

problem and determined the most probable cause, corrective action is selected and taken.

In effect, the team intervenes in the sequence of events to cause a favorable outcome.

The decision on when, where, and how to intervene should be made using a logical thought