Where and When to Conduct Interviews.

DOE-EM-STD-5505-96

or widespread problems, more than one assessment technique should normally be used.

5.8.2.3 Where and When to Conduct Interviews. During an operations assessment, most

interviews should be conducted while performing observations and document reviews. If

necessary, interviews can also be scheduled and conducted separately. For example, operators

and shift supervisors can be interviewed during rounds and while conducting operations, as time

permits. However, the assessor must ensure that the operators are not distracted from performing

their duties while being interviewed during operational activities. If it is necessary, these

personnel can also be interviewed in a more formal setting such as an office or conference room.

In general, operators and shift supervisors can be interviewed at their work location. Conversely,

it is usually best to interview activity managers, operations supervisors, and staff personnel in their

offices or in another convenient location. Assessors should coordinate with the interviewee to

establish the time and location of scheduled interviews. To minimize the impact on activity

operations, assessors should always plan to arrive at the interview location on time, or reschedule

the interview.

5.8.3 Document Review. The assessment team should review applicable documents both

prior to and during the assessment. In general, document reviews are conducted for the following

reasons:

To gain familiarity with the requirements contained in activity policies, procedures, etc.

To validate or disprove apparent deviations from requirements and identify programmatic

breakdowns or widespread problems

To investigate apparent inconsistencies between activity policies and procedures, and DOE

Directives