Information Access

DOE-STD-7501-99

3.2.6

Information Access

All individuals in DOE should have ready access to lessons learned. Access mechanisms should

include a variety of communication media. The lessons learned and access media should be

responsive/customizable to match customer needs (types of information, level of detail, sorting

mechanisms, presentation and display options). Both push and pull information technology should

be utilized. Simple search strategies/mechanisms should be available. Automatic delivery should

be available for some levels/thresholds of lessons learned. Lessons learned read capability should

be essentially unlimited for the internal user communities and limited only by safeguards concerns

for external communities.

3.2.7

Information Use

Lessons learned support, but do not direct, site/contract-level programs. There is local

determination of relevance/significance of external lessons learned. User obligations are defined at

the individual organization levels. Local lessons learned programs complement (encourage) other

formal and informal peer and workgroup sharing. Incentives are established to promote

development, communication and use of lessons learned.

3.2.8

Resources

It is expected that the development, communication and use of lessons learned should be a part of

everyone's job. The degree of formality in the mechanisms established to facilitate the lessons

learned program should be tailored based on the complexity of the work, hazards and

organizational factors. DOE and contractor organizations should designate certain individuals with

formal lessons learned roles. Even in organizations where lessons learned is designated a

distributed function throughout the organization, there should be a designated contact for interface

with the Corporate structure. At a minimum, a lessons learned management champion should be

formally designated.

DOE Headquarters will establish and maintain the Headquarter's lessons learned infrastructure

that supports DOE-wide lessons learned sharing. It is expected that local DOE and contractor

management will work with the Headquarter's Lessons Learned Lead Office to ensure that local

programs interface with the Headquarters program. Also it is expected that local management will

work with the Headquarters officials to seek continuous improvement of local and Department-wide

lessons learned programs.