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Keeping Knowledge “In the Family” at the NRCby Moderator |
Tom Boyce
Branch Chief, Regulatory Guide Development Branch
NRC
knowledge management especially is focused on two major ideas. First of
all, it is focused on capturing and preserving agency knowledge
(technical information) while the information is fresh and available.
Second, and equally as important, knowledge management also means
ensuring the collected information is transferred to the next generation
of NRC staff.
The
NRC’s Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) produces regulatory
guides to provide guidance that nuclear utilities can follow to meet NRC
rules for the design and operation of their nuclear plants. The NRC
staff also use regulatory guides to review applications from the
utilities for plant permits and licenses. New guides are developed when
needed – and existing ones are regularly reviewed and updated.
The
Regulatory Guide Development Branch (part of RES) is very concerned
with promoting “knowledge management” within the agency. We have an
obligation to preserve key technical information especially as people
leave the agency. Therefore, we have taken steps to make sure we
capture, preserve, and transfer important technical knowledge.
NRC
knowledge management especially is focused on two major ideas. First of
all, it is focused on capturing and preserving agency knowledge
(technical information) while the information is fresh and available.
Second, and equally as important, knowledge management also means
ensuring the collected information is transferred to the next generation
of NRC staff.
To
do this, we encourage NRC staff members to write their knowledge into
regulatory guides as they identify technical and regulatory issues. This
helps keep the knowledge in a permanent and long-lasting record. This
also helps prevent technical information from becoming difficult to find
over time. This is a very important responsibility, especially because
of staff retirements or reassignments.
In
addition, the NRC staff teams up its junior staff with senior staff to
perform the reviews and updates of the regulatory guides. This approach
effectively helps pass on regulatory information to the junior staff. It
also ensures that this important guidance continues to be available to
the NRC staff, its stakeholders, and the public.
Critical knowledge can’t be lost if the NRC is to continue to meet its important mission. We make sure it isn’t.
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