Design of integrated solutions fusing existing facility practices with emerging technology is creating new platforms for enhancing operations. Review of current business methods uncovered several areas of improvement including; operating efficiency, document routing, accountability, reporting, records management, format standardization, and control system interaction. A new Defense Programs (DP) facility at the Savannah River Site (SRS) is implementing an electronic procedure environment to overcome these challenges. Electronic procedures merge disciplines of design engineering, procedure writing, controls engineering, and operations into a central development platform for creating optimal plant processes. Users develop procedures through a combination of logical flowcharts, customizable properties, and Distributed Control System (DCS) functions resulting in the generation of static and dynamic operating procedures, software documentation, and automation code. Execution of developed procedures occurs in a single, uniform, procedure-oriented interface designed specifically for the operator in order to reduce process mistakes, present online information, list approved procedures, organize systems, launch audible alerts, and strengthen communications with automation. Creation of executed documents upon procedure completion and custom reports containing detailed shift turnover information are additional managerial benefits incorporated into the interface. Initial and continuing application improvements from an evaluation of developer feedback, process configurations, and facility integration are reviewed. Incorporation of manual and automated electronic procedures into the Novatech D/3 Distributed Control System (DCS) and other sub-systems is also discussed with specific examples. A final analysis is performed on the results of meeting facility challenges and potential areas for new application expansion and growth.
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