HPRCT is coming up very soon! Check out who will be there!
At HPRCT 2015, we asked on a survey "what do you want to hear more about next year?" Guess what? Trending was the winner.  Unfortunately, there are not that many subject speakers or practitioners out there.  Thankfully, we have Alex, who shows great passion and knowledge for this subject.  You need to check him out!
Alex Torres

Contractor Assurance with Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS)

Alex Torres was born and raised in Southern California.  In 1980, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served 22 years.  During his military career, he was in the Naval Nuclear Power Program and successfully served in leadership positions in the areas of nuclear operations, mechanical maintenance and repair, quality assurance, quality control, corrective action, work control, and work planning.  Positions held while in the military include Nuclear Power Mobile Training Team Evaluator and Advisor, Quality Assurance Manager, Nuclear Repair Planning Supervisor, Nuclear Repair Coordinator, Mechanical Division Project Manager and Maintenance Supervisor, and Nuclear Power Training Unit Instructor.  

After retiring from the military in 2002, Alex went to work in commercial nuclear power at Columbia Generating Station in Washington State.  During his eight years at Columbia Generation Station, he served as Corrective Action Program Lead, Self-Assessment Coordinator, Trending Program Coordinator, and Lead Quality Auditor.  In 2010, Alex was hired on by Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) LLC, which manages millions of gallons of hazardous waste created during cold-war plutonium production at the DOE Hanford Site in Washington State.  During his five years at WRPS, he had successfully led or provided oversight/mentoring for event investigation/cause analyses (approximately 73 cause analysis activities).  Currently, Alex is the program administrator of WRPS' Trend Analysis and Collective Significance Review programs.  Alex's training and experience includes certification/training in Apollo Root Cause Analysis®, Kepner-Tregoe®, TapRoot® and Phoenix cause analysis methods.  He attended Old Dominion University and received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Project Management.

Alex currently serves as an HPRCT Board Member.

To view more information about Washington River Protection Solutions, click here.   

June 13th from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

On Monday, Alex will be teaching an all day pre-conference workshop.  

Trend Analyses, An Integrated Approach

This 8-hour workshop describes an integrated approach to qualitative trend analysis of human performance data, which includes data collection methods, performance analysis techniques, performance modeling, and data interpretation guidance.  The concepts being trained were recognized as by INPO as a strength in 2008, and as an excellent approach by a Department of Energy DOE Field Office in 2015.  

The Trend Analysis Program training will include:

  • Overall program structure
  • Challenges in establishing an integrated trending program and lessons learned
  • Development of effective trend code structures 
  • Data collection techniques to include software needs to facilitate this process
  • Displaying data in various models such as human performance, INPO Performance Objectives and Criteria, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission cornerstones, Department of Energy performance, and safety culture  
  • Guidance on identification of functional and cross-functional trend
  • Using a business intelligence approach in trending
  • Development of reports that provided management meaningful information by which to base a decision and allocation of resource
  • Collective significance review meeting structure, content, and conduct
Alex will also be holding three other breakout sessions!

June 14, 2:05-2:55pm
Interrelationships Between Trending and Cause Analysis

In this presentation, we will discuss the interrelationship between trending and cause analysis by demonstrating the similarity in concepts such as cause and effect, common cause, and trend analysis of performance data.  Included will be examples of actual analyses that demonstrate how the concepts presented assist in identifying low-level precursor performance that if left uncorrected, will increase a company’s risk for a consequential event.  The goal is to provide individuals with an improved understanding of precursor trend identification and an understanding of the potential effects on performance if the behaviors or processes are not improved.

June 14th at 3:10-4:00pm
Case Study: Data Gathering and Reporting Demo (DevonWay Business Intelligence Software)

This is a demonstration of business intelligence software designed to extract performance data from various data sources and produce reports that are meaningful and provide for better more complete analysis to identify adverse trends.

June 16th at 2:05-2:55PM
Case Study: Developing a Meaningful Trend Report

In this case study, we will discuss the development of a Quarterly Trend Report that had been successful in communicating the information needed to understand performance issues (individually and holistically), status of performance, and final closure of the issue.  Included in the study will be lessons learned from years of benchmarking along with examples of Quarterly Trend Reports that have proven to be effective in their communications allow management to make informed decisions for the path to recovery.  Included will be a discussion on the complete lifecycle of an adverse trend from initial discovery to final closeout and methods for documenting and reporting to management and stakeholders.