Systems Analysis and Systems Engineering in Environmental Remediation Programs at the Department of Energy Hanford Site (1998)

Thank you for your February 3, 1994, letter transmitting the Committee's evaluation of the extent to which systems analysis is being applied to the Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) Program at the Department's Hanford site.

As you know from our discussions of last August, my interest in the application of a systems approach is broader than the TWRS program—I believe the rigor of a systems approach must be applied across the Environmental Management program.

I am pleased that the Department staff at both Headquarters and the Richland Operations Office, as well as the Westinghouse Hanford Company staff have met with you on February 24 and April 7, 1994, to explore more fully the concerns you raised. It should be apparent from those meetings that the TWRS program has made notable progress in implementing a systems approach since you completed your review. For example, key system engineering documents such as the draft TWRS Functions and Requirements and the draft TWRS Engineering Management Plan have been revised. These documents were provided to you at the April 7, 1994, meeting. In addition, to facilitate discussion about tank waste treatment alternatives, a computer simulation model has been acquired and developed and was demonstrated to you on April 7, 1994. However, my staff and I recognize that there is considerably more work to be accomplished, and we are committed to establish a system integrated program site-wide at Hanford and across all of the Environmental Management program.

I greatly appreciate the effort of the Committee and look forward to continued interactions between the Committee and my staff. It is important that we make progress in addressing the concerns raised in your letter. I fully anticipate requesting a similar system review from you in the future, when we have made more progress in developing and implementing a systems approach throughout the program.