Background - std7501990008

DOE-STD-7501-99

for DOE approval, to reflect these ongoing activities and factors. The application of lessons

learned will play a key role in maintaining Integrated Safety Management Systems and in improving

DOE and contractor programs, processes and practices integral to ISMS.

DOE and contractor organizations should review the elements specified in this technical standard

and tailor their lessons learned programs based on their individual operating needs consistent with

the institutional framework for sharing department wide. This technical standard is provided to

assist management, staff and line workers to share information, adopt successful practices, and

avoid repeating mistakes.

Background

1.2

A hallmark of DOE's scientific excellence is the communication and peer review of scientific

information. Sharing of operational information was more limited due to the diversity of DOE

missions and historical operating practices. Over the past several years DOE has encouraged

improved communication of operating experiences. A number of DOE rules and requirements

require that lessons learned be identified, evaluated, shared, and incorporated into projects,

programs, or operations. The references to lessons learned reflect the need to communicate

acquired knowledge more effectively and to ensure that beneficial information is factored into

planning, work processes, and activities. Existing requirements did not provide a comprehensive

standard for a DOE-wide lessons learned program nor did they provide guidance on tailoring local

DOE and contractor lessons learned programs. As a result of the lack of a DOE-wide vision for

the role of lessons learned and historical practices, identification, sharing, and use of lessons

learned were often insular and sporadic across the DOE complex. In 1994 a Process

Improvement Team of DOE and contractor personnel was tasked to develop a technical standard

to provide direction on how to develop Lessons Learned Programs. Subsequently a number of

local Lessons Learned Programs were patterned after that standard.