ML20205D640
| ML20205D640 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/09/1986 |
| From: | Nicole Coleman NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Jennifer Davis NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| CON-FIN-A-1158, REF-WM-1 NUDOCS 8608180121 | |
| Download: ML20205D640 (3) | |
Text
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/8Yr7 Doc'et No.
NOTE FOR: John G. Davis, Director Office of NMSS PDR I LPDR FROM: Neil M. Coleman, Project Manager Dktribution:
Hydrology Section i Geotechnical Branch, WM _--J (Return to WM,623]S) T-- .
SUBJECT:
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR SUGGESTI0IISi CODE MAINTANANCE AND SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE This inforral note is submitted in response to your request for suggestions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of NMSS activities and regulation.
The suggestion discussed below is recommended to help improve the quality assurance in our use of computer code software. Many types of complex software have been developed to help support licensing decisions in all aspects of nuclear waste management. With respect to public safety, the computer codes will be used to provide insight about the long-tenn isolation performance of both high- and low-level waste disposal sites. Specific uses will include the prediction of groundwater travel times and waste package containment periods.
BACKGROUND Within the Geotechnical Branch, a program of computer code maintenance was recently initiated under TA Project FIN A1158. Under this program, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is implementing and maintaining large computer codes at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) for use by both NRC staff and contractors. These codes were originally developed under RES -
projects and made available to WM staff under various TA contracts. In fonner practice, the transfer of codes from Sandia to NRC consisted of Sandia providing on request copies of standardized code versions to NRC users in the fom of magnetic tapes or diskettes. The end result was that codes were thus removed from Sandia's OA enviroment and subsequent changes to codes were not well documented. Also, staff members had the option of using a plethora of computer facilities depending on personal preferences. Further complicating matters, NRC contractors have had the option to modify code versions at will, and could use computer facilities different from those available to NRC staff.
Ideally, for work performed in the licensing crena, it is desirable to limit all users (staff and contractors) to the use of starbrdized code versions and specified computer facilities, and to inhibit users from modifying the source codes. This is possible, and has been initiated on a trial basis in the Geotechnical Branch. In having Sandia maintain codes at INEL, we have taken advantage of INEL's recently installed file management security system. This 1
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system restricts file access to specific users and allows NRC project managers to monitor activity and charges within specified groups of files. This is very desirable in terms of both quality assurance and the monitoring of computer usage costs by contractors and their individual staff members. This file management system was the principal reason for selecting INEL as the preferred maintenance facility for standardized code versions.
In summary, the following advantages are being accrued:
From a QA standpoint, the undesirable use of different code versions on different computer systems can be avoided. In other words, all staff and contractors can use the same standardized versions of computer codes via the same computer facility. On a related issue, we should be striving for machine independence in the development of new codes to be sponsored by NRC. This could be introduced as a requirement in our contractural agreements; Overall computer usage costs for contractors can be reduced by inducing the contractors to use the economical time-sharing agreements that NRC has with INEL and other facilities; Training costs could be reduced because new NRC staff members would initially need to learn about only one computer facility. Managers
'could thus more accurately target the use of training funds; The organization that maintains the codes for NRC (i. e., DOE lab, commercial contractor, FFRDC, etc.) would be assigned full
, responsibility for code maintenance, validation, verification, and staff assistance. During FY86 this work is being 3erformed by Sandia, but it could readily be assumed in future )y an FFRDC contractor; By using the same code.versiurs and facilities, technical communications between and among NRC staff and contractors can be substantially improved. Data sets (models) could be readily exchanged, revised, and updated.
It is suggested that these QA pilot efforts in the Geotechnical Branch can possibly be extended to the planning of other site characterization and licensing work in NMSS. Please note that this suggestion relates primarily to complex performance assessment codes that will be used to help evaluate licensing decisions, ard that must be implemented on large main-frame computer systems. We have been encouraged in our work through discussions with WM, PPAS 1
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. l NMC/86/06/04/1 and ADP staff members, and are confident that these efforts are needed to properly support future performance assessment activities.
b Neil M. Coleman, Project Manager Hydrology Section Geotechnical Branch, WM
Enclosure:
As Stated.
cc:
R. E. Browning M. J. Bell P. S. Justus M. Fliegel 1
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