Project Specifics

A premier United States Department of Energy multidisciplinary science and engineering national laboratory engaged Longenecker & Associates, a Geosyntec Company, to conduct an independent review of its event management process. We reviewed the abnormal and unplanned events that are investigated, analyzed, and resolved, with an emphasis on integrating human performance improvement (HPI) principles across event response activities. The project aligned with the client’s mission of operational excellence, safety, and continuous performance improvement across its diverse research and operational units.

Geosyntec Scope of Services

The client engaged us to identify strengths and opportunities in its event management system, which was facing challenges including unclear roles and responsibilities, extended timelines, limited organizational engagement, inconsistent use of risk-informed approaches, cultural barriers, and manual process inefficiencies.

The client’s leadership sought our expert insights and actionable recommendations to enhance program maturity, strengthen process rigor, and embed a culture of continuous improvement. To accomplish this, we mobilized a multidisciplinary review team with expertise in event management, human performance, and organizational improvement. The team’s approach included the following:

• A comprehensive gap analysis to rigorously compare the client’s event-management practices with industry best practices and a recognized maturity model
• Extensive stakeholder engagement, including detailed interviews with personnel, from senior leadership to frontline staff, safety experts, and event-analysis teams
• Direct observation of an event and corrective action meetings to provide insights into facilitation effectiveness and participation levels and the practical dynamics of the client’s processes
• Robust review of internal documents and training materials for content and delivery, process manuals for clarity and adherence, corrective action documentation for thoroughness, and performance metrics to understand current measurement systems
• Assessment on HPI to evaluate the integration and consistent application of HPI tools and associated training across the client’s organization

Notable Accomplishments

We provided the client with actionable, prioritized recommendations to address deficiencies and drive measurable improvements, including communication strategies. We established realistic timelines, optimized resource allocation, clarified accountability structures, and promoted greater process standardization. Other recommendations included enhancing internal expertise development and implementing clear metrics and dashboards to effectively monitor timeliness, assess effectiveness, and foster continuous improvement within event management.

If our recommendations are implemented, anticipated outcomes include the following:

• Enhanced Accountability: Clearer roles, responsibilities, and authorities (R2A2) established for all organizations involved, promoting ownership and follow-through
• Improved Process Efficiency: Streamlined workflows, reduced manual handoffs, and integrated tools to accelerate event analysis and corrective action closure
• Strengthened Reporting Culture: Communication plans and cultural initiatives to encourage timely, transparent reporting, including appropriate use of 911 notifications
• Risk-Informed Prioritization: Implementation of a graded approach to tailor the rigor of event management activities based on event severity and impact, optimizing resource use
• Increased Human Performance Integration: Expanded training and use of core HPI tools, fostering a stronger safety culture aligned with leadership priorities
• Data-Driven Continuous Improvement: Development of metrics and performance targets enabling more effective program effectiveness, accountability, and trend identification

Our practitioners’ work equipped our client with the support to reduce the recurrence of similar events, improve safety and operational reliability, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning and accountability. Our expertise and collaborative approach reinforced our reputation as a trusted partner for complex performance improvement initiatives at leading national laboratories.

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