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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEAugust 26, 1992 W/OSO11
TO: All Holders of Operations Manual
FROM: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 92-7
1. Material Transmitted:
WSOM Chapter A-73, "Systems Commissioning Policy."
2. Summary:
This chapter establishes the National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and Associated Restructuring (MAR) System Commissioning Policy. This policy establishes a process which supports the decision that the system equipment located at an operational site can be used in an official capacity in the conduct of appropriate NWS service operations. This chapter also establishes a process for evaluating the effectiveness of system support functions. The most significant aspects of this policy are summarized below.
This policy is applicable to the (1) pre- or limited-production configurations, (2) production configurations, and (3) associated support functions of the Automated Surface Observing System, Next Generation Weather Radar, and Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System. It may be applied, by direction of the Assistant Administrator for Weather Services, to other systems implemented during MAR.
A set of generic operational assessments is identified which must be taken into consideration when developing site component commissioning plans. These assessments are tailored to the system being implemented through the development of specific evaluation criteria for each applicable assessment.
A set of generic operational assessments is also identified which must be taken into consideration when developing support function demonstrations. These assessments are also tailored to the system by means of specific evaluation criteria.
Frameworks for the conduct of site component commissionings and of support function demonstrations are provided to assist in developing respective plans and procedures.
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
The Systems Commissioning Policy is a specific application of the general system commissioning requirement contained in WSOM Chapter A-34. This issuance cancels WSOM Chapter A-73, dated November 14, 1990. The Confirmation of Operational Capabilities Policy included in that issuance has been removed from this chapter and will be re-issued as a separate WSOM chapter.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.
Assistant Administrator
for Weather Services
Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Part Chap.
8/26/92 W/OSO11 Operations Manual A 73
SYSTEMS COMMISSIONING POLICY
Table of Contents:
1. Purpose2. Scope
3. Definitions
4. Site Component Commissioning Plan and Process
4.1 Site Component Commissioning Evaluations
4.2 Site Component Commissioning Approval Process
4.3 Implementation of Commissioning Decision5. Support Function Demonstration Plan and Process
5.1 Support Function Demonstration Evaluations
5.2 Support Function Demonstration Approval Process6. Authorities, Roles, and Responsibilities
6.1 National Headquarters
6.2 National Meteorological Center and Regional Headquarters
6.3 National Centers
6.4 Field Offices
Exhibits:
A-73-1 Site Component Commissioning Process
A-73-2 Support Function Demonstration Process
A-73-3 Summary of NWS System Commissioning Management Responsibilities
A-73-4 Summary of Responsibilities for Development of System Commissioning Criteria/Procedures
A-73-5 Summary of Responsibilities for Assessment of System Commissioning Criteria
1. Purpose. This chapter establishes the National Weather Service's (NWS) modernization and associated restructuring (MAR) policy for the commissioning of systems during NWS's transition to MAR capabilities. This policy is a specific application of the general system commissioning requirement identified in WSOM Chapter A-34, Equipment/System/Facilities Program.
The Director, Office of Systems Operations (OSO), is responsible for (a) the design, implementation, and management of the system commissioning procedures which implement this policy, and (b) preparation and coordination of the updates to this policy.
2. Scope. Once the Government acceptance has taken place, this policy shall be applied to the (a) pre- or limited-production and production configurations, and (b) associated support functions of the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD), and Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). Other NWS systems, implemented during MAR, for the collection, processing, dissemination, or distribution of weather data and service products may be commissioned under this policy as directed by the Assistant Administrator (AA) for Weather Services. This policy may also be applied to MAR-related systems that NWS procures, operates, and/or maintains for other Federal agencies.
3. Definitions. The following definitions are used in this WSOM:
System commissioning is the process through which technical and administrative judgments are applied quantitatively and qualitatively to (a) support the determination that the system equipment at an NWS site (i.e., site component) can be officially used in the conduct of NWS service operations, and (b) evaluate the effectiveness of system support functions in supporting operations.
Site Component Commissioning is the decision that the system equipment located at an operational site can be used in an official capacity in the conduct of appropriate NWS service operations.
Support Function Demonstration is the process of evaluating the performance of (a) the national and regional level functions supporting the site components being commissioned, and (b) the operational interrelationships of commissioned site components.
A System is the totality of equipment, personnel, facilities, and supporting functions (e.g., maintenance, logistics, and communication networks) required by the technology program (e.g., ASOS, NEXRAD, and AWIPS) to provide the desired operational capabilities.
A Site Component is the portion of a system at a staffed or unstaffed site [e.g., a Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) installation located at a field office or an ASOS installation remote from any NWS office] that provides the required system function for the given location. A given system can also have variations in its site components. In the case of the WSR-88D, for instance, a site can be a complete WSR-88D installation [i.e., Radar Data Acquisition (RDA) unit, Radar Product Generator (RPG), and Principal User Processor (PUP)] or a single PUP installed at a field office to provide access to an adjacent WSR-88D. Also, a site component may be made up of geographically dispersed equipment, such as WSR-88D installations in which the RDA is at a location remote from the field office. In this instance, the communications between the RDA and field office would be included in the definition of the site component.
An NWS Site is a location that contains NWS site component(s). The site may or may not be staffed.
Support Functions are those activities or capabilities that support equipment or system operations. Such functions include field maintenance, depot repair, logistics, software support, communications, training, technical monitoring and control, program management, and system operations and backup among sites.
Acceptance is the demonstration by a contractor, and the confirmation by the Government, that a specific site component and/or system support function to be procured fulfills the requirements and specifications of the procuring contract. This includes, but is not limited to, the fulfillment of technical and operational specifications and capabilities of (a) the hardware and software of the site components and system support functions, (b) the delivery of appropriate documentation, and (c) the provision of adequate training aids.
Activation is the point in time when a procured item has been accepted by the Government and has begun to be used by Government personnel for purposes of familiarization and operational evaluation.
Determination of Operational Readiness is the period of time, after a site component's acceptance and before its commissioning, when the site component is in use for purposes of operator and maintenance personnel training and familiarization, and for its evaluation against specifically developed criteria.
4. Site Component Commissioning Plan and Process. To assure a well-planned and effective site component implementation, individual site component commissioning plans and procedures for their implementation shall be developed for the ASOS, NEXRAD, and AWIPS systems; and for those additional systems designated by the AA for Weather Services. At minimum, these plans shall define what is to be commissioned, the operational assessments and associated evaluation criteria to be met in order for a site component to be commissioned, and the process for obtaining NWS senior management approval to commission.
The site component commissioning process, Exhibit A-73-1, shall provide a framework for the plan. This process consists of (a) the Government's acceptance of the site component as a prerequisite to the initiation of the component's commissioning process, (b) the activation of the component and subsequent familiarization of the site personnel with its operations and capabilities, (c) the determination of the operational readiness of the component through the operational assessment of the criteria established for commissioning, (d) the completion and processing of a commissioning report leading to a decision on the commissioning of the site component, and (e) the implementation of the commissioning decision.
The Director, OSO, shall be responsible for the management of the development and implementation of each technology program's site component commissioning plan. The Deputy Assistant Administrator for Modernization (DAAM) shall be responsible for the approval of such plans.
4.1 Site Component Commissioning Evaluations. The determination of operational readiness, and the consequent recommendation and approval of the commissioning of a site component, shall be based upon the assessment of its commissioning criteria. These criteria, shall describe, at minimum, the operational assessments of the following:
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a. adequate availability of properly trained operations and maintenance personnel;
b. satisfactory performance of system interfaces, internal (e.g., ASOS interface with Automation of Field Operations and Services) and external (e.g., dial-up access to adjacent WSR-88D sites) to the site and site component;
c. satisfactory support of the associated NWS forecast and warning services by the site component;
d. proper functioning of service backup plans/capabilities for the site;e. adequate operational and maintenance documentation; and
f. adequate on-site spares and support and test equipment.
The individual in charge of the site [e.g., Meteorologist In Charge (MIC), Hydrologist In Charge (HIC), or National Center Director] shall be responsible for the assessment of the criteria in accord with the site component commissioning plan as well as for preparing the consequent commissioning report.
4.2 Site Component Commissioning Approval Process. The decision to commission a given site component is the responsibility of the DAAM. Delegation of this commissioning authority to the Regional Directors and/or the Director, National Meteorological Center (NMC), shall be at the discretion of the DAAM.
Specific procedures shall be developed by the Director, OSO, to implement the Site Component Commissioning Approval Process. These procedures shall contain the following elements:
a. Initiation of the Approval Process. Initiation of a site component commissioning approval process shall be by the transmittal of a standard Site Component Commissioning Report, which will indicate what is to be commissioned and the results of the evaluations of the component's commissioning criteria.
b. Approval of Commissioning. The appropriate regional director or the Director, NMC, shall ensure that any coordination with other sites and/or regions affected by the site component commissioning has taken place and shall:
(1) When the DAAM approves the commissioning of a site component, endorse and transmit a copy of the Site Component Commissioning Report to the DAAM and to the Director, OSO, or designee.
(2) When authority to do so is delegated by the DAAM, approve the site component commissioning and transmit the original copy of the approved Site Component Commissioning Report to the Director, OSO, or designee.
The original copy of the approved Site Component Commissioning Report shall be maintained at the National Weather Service Headquarters by the Director, OSO. Copies of the approved report shall be maintained at the originating Regional Headquarters and field office or NMC and National Center.
4.3 Implementation of Commissioning Decision. The appropriate regional director or Director, NMC, shall be responsible for the implementation of the site component commissioning. The Director, OSO, shall be responsible for the support of such implementations.
5. Support Function Demonstration Plan and Process. A support function demonstration shall be conducted to assure a well-planned and effective implementation of national and regional functions required to support the continued implementation of ASOS, NEXRAD, and AWIPS and to assure the desired operational relationships between and among site components of a given system. A plan and procedures for the demonstration shall be developed for each system, and for those additional systems designated by the AA for Weather Services. At minimum, these plans shall define the functions to be fielded; the operational assessments and associated criteria to be met; and the process for obtaining NWS senior management approval of the results of the demonstration.
The support function demonstration process, Exhibit A-73-2, shall provide a framework for the plan. This process consists of (a) the Government's acceptance of the support functions as a prerequisite to the demonstration, (b) the selection of commissioned site components for inclusion in the demonstration, (c) the evaluation of the criteria established for the demonstration, and (d) the completion and processing of the results of the demonstration.
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At least one support function demonstration shall take place early during the implementation of a system. Additional support function demonstrations shall take place if the implementation strategy for the system--such as major system modifications or upgrades--indicates the need.
The Director, OSO, shall be responsible for the management of the development and implementation of each support function demonstration plan. The DAAM shall be responsible for the approval of each plan.
5.1 Support Function Demonstration Evaluations. The determination of the effectiveness of support functions in supporting operations and of the operational interrelationships of site components shall be based upon the evaluation of criteria developed for the system. These criteria shall describe, at minimum, the operational assessments of the following:
a. satisfactory performance of the system's maintenance and logistics support functions,b. satisfactory performance of the system's communication functions,
c. satisfactory performance of the system's training support functions for operations and maintenance personnel,
d. satisfactory performance of the system's program management and technical monitoring and control capabilities,
e. adequate documentation of the system support functions,
f. satisfactory performance of the system's software support function, and
g. satisfactory operations and backup support among sites.
5.2 Support Function Demonstration Approval Process. The decision to approve the results of a support function demonstration is the responsibility of the DAAM. Specific procedures shall be developed by the Director, OSO, leading to such approvals.
6. Authorities, Roles, and Responsibilities. The authorities, roles, and responsibilities for system commissioning are listed below by organization and official. Exhibit A-73-3 summarizes management authorities, roles, and responsibilities. Exhibit A-73-4 summarizes responsibilities for the development of evaluation criteria for system commissioning. Exhibit A-73-5 summarizes responsibilities for the assessment of site component commissioning and support function demonstration criteria.
6.1 National Headquarters. At the Headquarters level, the major system commissioning functions are executed by the AA for Weather Services; the DAAM; and the Directors, OSO, Office of Systems Development (OSD), Office of Hydrology (OH), and Office of Meteorology (OM).
DAAM. The DAAM is responsible for the following, of which item (2) may be delegated by the Deputy at the Deputy's discretion:
(1) approval of each system's site component commissioning plan and support function demonstration plan,
(2) approval of individual site component commissionings,
(3) approval of the results of each support function demonstration, and
(4) approval of changes to site component commissioning plans that cannot be resolved through the Transition Program Office's change management process.
c. Director, OSO. The Director, OSO, has the responsibility to manage, design, and implement the system commissioning function. Specific responsibilities are:
(1) developing general guidelines and procedures for the execution of the system commissioning policy, in cooperation with the Directors of OH, OM, OSD, NMC, and the regions;
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(2) overall managing of the development and implementation of site component commissioning plans and support function demonstration plans, including the overall assessments and associated criteria contained in these plans;
(3) as identified in Exhibit A-73-4, developing or supporting development of criteria to be used in assessing site components and support functions;
(4) as identified in Exhibit A-73-5, evaluating or supporting evaluation of criteria used to assess site components and support functions;
(5) providing recommendations and supporting evidence to support the DAAM's site component commissioning responsibilities; and
(6) managing the support function demonstration(s) for each system, including providing recommendations and supporting evidence, in coordination with the Directors identified in Exhibit A-73-3, for the approval, by the DAAM, of the results of the demonstration(s).
d. Directors OSD, OH, and OM. The Directors of OSD, OH, and OM shall be responsible for:
(1) working with the Director, OSO, in developing guidelines and procedures for preparing and implementing site component commissioning plans and support function demonstration plans;
(2) as identified in Exhibit A-73-4, developing or supporting development of criteria to be used in assessing site components and support functions;
(3) as identified in Exhibit A-73-5, evaluating or supporting evaluation of criteria used to assess site components and support functions;
(4) providing recommendations and supporting evidence to support the DAAM's site component commissioning responsibilities; and
(5) providing recommendations and supporting evidence for the acceptance of support function demonstration results by the DAAM, in coordination with the Director, OSO.
6.2 National Meteorological Center and Regional Headquarters. At the NMC and regional headquarters levels, the major system commissioning functions are executed by the Director, NMC, and the regional directors. Their responsibilities are:
As identified in Exhibit A-73-4, developing or supporting development of criteria to be used in assessing site components and support functions.
As identified in Exhibit A-73-5, evaluating or supporting evaluation of criteria used to assess site components and support functions.
Providing recommendations and supporting evidence to support the DAAM's system commissioning responsibilities.
Approving the commissioning of site components at National Centers, field offices, or other NWS sites, when delegated such authority by the DAAM.
6.3 National Centers. At the National Centers, the system commissioning responsibilities are executed by the respective center director. These responsibilities are:
providing recommendations and supporting evidence to support the NMC Director's system commissioning responsibilities.
6.4 Field Offices. At the field offices, the system commissioning responsibilities are exercised by the appropriate MIC/HIC. These responsibilities are:
providing recommendations and supporting evidence to support the appropriate Regional Director's system commissioning responsibilities.