Case Studies

The Challenge

Providing assurance to senior level management at the National Nuclear Security Administration on the health of safeguards and security programs across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

The Solution

Develop a process to provide assurance that safeguards and security programs at National Nuclear Security Administration site offices are working as designed and are in compliance with Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration policies and directives.  The process – the Safeguards and Security Evaluation and Performance Assurance Program - has 3 major components: Operational Awareness; Assessments and Technical Assistance; and Communications.

• Operational awareness is defined as those activities that ensure operations are securely performed; provide early identification of vulnerabilities; and ensure that there are effective lines of communication between the organizations performing the work (Headquarters, NNSA site offices, and contractors). Operational awareness also extends to management activities including maintaining a current awareness of the status, conditions and issues that may affect operations; performance expectations and measures; and contract deliverables or requirements. Activities include: Data Analysis, Tracking, and Trending; Lessons Learned/Best Practices; Performance Metrics/Measures; Management System Assurance Program Reports; Human Capital Management, Training, Staffing, and Qualifications; Policy Interpretation/Policy and Order Development; and Communications/Relationships.
• To complement the operational awareness activities such as tracking and trending of data, defining metrics and measuring performance to those metrics, a number of limited on-the ground assessments would be conducted along with technical assistance visits in partnership with the National Nuclear Security Administration site offices. These activities are designed to not only provide value to the site offices but also provide performance assurance information regarding the implementation of Safeguards and Security functions throughout the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
• A systematic analysis of data/information is rolled-up into briefing packages and communicated to senior management focusing on those items that are rated as “Marginal” (or less) or that are trending downward. Additionally, a system of communications was designed to foster improved dialogue between the oversight organization and the field elements.

CTAC’s Role

CTAC subject matter experts were employed on this effort as follows:

• Conducted interviews/reviews at site offices and with Headquarter stakeholder organizations to get a better understanding of performance assurance processes.
• Assisted in developing consensus on the appropriate range of operational awareness and assessment activities that would be required to determine the health and effectiveness of safeguards and security programs.
• Designed and developed prototype reporting templates.
• Assisted in the conduct of data/information analysis and developed lessons-learned and identified best practices for use across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.