DOE-STD-1172-2011, Safety Software Quality Assurance Functional Area Qualification Standard
Functional areas: Safety System Software, Safety and Hazard Analysis Software, Design Software, Safety Management, Administrative Controls
The SSQA FAQS establishes common functional area competency requirements for DOE personnel who provide assistance, or direction, guidance, oversight, or evaluation of safety software that includes: safety system software; safety and hazard analysis software and design software; and safety management and administrative controls software as defined in DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance.
Supersedes:
Version history and related documents
Supersedes
Earlier documents this one replaced.
Document text
Text extracted from the attached file. Refer to the original document for the authoritative version.
Section 1
NOT MEASUREMENT
SENSITIVE
DOE-STD-1172-2011
March 2011
DOE STANDARD
SAFETY SOFTWARE QUALITY
ASSURANCE FUNCTIONAL AREA
QUALIFICATION STANDARD
DOE Defense Nuclear Facilities Technical Personnel
U.S. Department of Energy AREA TRNG
Washington, D.C. 20585
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
ii
This document is available on the
Department of Energy
Technical Standards Program
Web Site at
http://www.hss.energy.gov/nuclearsafety/techstds/
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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DOE-STD-1172-2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL ............................................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................................................................ i
PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................. 1
APPLICABILITY ......................................................................................................................... 1
IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................................................... 2
EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................. 3
INITIAL QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING ............................................................................... 4
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................................................... 5
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE ........................................................................................ 6
REQUIRED TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES ............................................................................. 7
I. Software Management and Quality Assurance ............................................................... 7
II. Safety Software and System Relationship ..................................................................... 8
III. Software Engineering, Development, and Maintenance.............................................. 10
IV. Safety Software Assessments .................................................................................... 14
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................... 16
APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................................... 18
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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DOE-STD-1172-2011
iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) is the Champion
and Sponsor for the Safety Software Quality Assurance (SSQA) Functional Area Qualification
Standard (FAQS). The Sponsor is responsible for coordinating the development and/or review
of the SSQA FAQS by subject matter experts to ensure that the technical content of the FAQS
is accurate and adequate for Department-wide application for those involved in the SSQA
Program. The Sponsor, in coordination with the Federal Technical Capability Panel, is also
responsible for ensuring that this FAQS is maintained current.
The following individuals participated in the development and/or review of this FAQS:
Section 2
• Subir Sen, HS-23 (Team Leader)
• Shiv Seth, HS-64
• Cliff Ashley, EM-RL
• Pranab Guha, HS-22
• Robert Blyth, DOE-ID
• Sherry Hardgrave, NNSA Y-12
• Teresa Perry, SC ORO
• Donna Riggs, SC ORO (Alternate)
• Anton Tran, NA-173
• Charles Thayer, HS-23 (Support)
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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DOE-STD-1172-2011
1
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
FUNCTIONAL AREA QUALIFICATION STANDARD
Safety Software Quality Assurance
PURPOSE
DOE Order (O) 426.1, Federal Technical Capability, commits the Department to continuously
strive for technical excellence. The Technical Qualification Program (TQP), along with the
supporting technical qualification standards, complements the personnel processes that support
the Department’s drive for technical excellence. In support of this goal, the competency
requirements defined in this FAQS should be aligned with and integrated into the recruitment
and staffing processes for technical positions. This FAQS should form the primary basis for
developing vacancy announcements, qualification requirements, crediting plans, interview
questions, and other criteria associated with the recruitment, selection, and internal placement
of personnel performing SSQA duties. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
minimum qualifications standards will be greatly enhanced by application of appropriate
materials from the technical FAQS.
The technical qualification standards are not intended to replace the OPM qualifications
standards or other departmental personnel standards, rules, plans, or processes. The primary
purpose of the TQP is to ensure that employees have the requisite technical competency to
support the mission of the Department. The TQP forms the basis for the development and
assignment of DOE personnel responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear
facilities.
APPLICABILITY
The SSQA FAQS establishes common functional area competency requirements for DOE
personnel who provide assistance, or direction, guidance, oversight, or evaluation of safety
software that includes: safety system software; safety and hazard analysis software and design
software; and safety management and administrative controls software as defined in DOE O
414.1C, Quality Assurance. The Order identifies that DOE G 414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for
use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality Assurance Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality
Assurance “provides acceptable implementation strategies and appropriate standards for these
work activities.” The Order further requires ASME NQA-1-2000, Quality Assurance
Requirements for Nuclear Facility Applications, or other national or international consensus
standards that provide an equivalent level of quality assurance requirements as NQA-1-2000,
must be used to implement these work activities.
Knowledge of ASME NQA-1-2000 and DOE G 414.1-4 is important to SSQA personnel in
performing their duties and responsibilities. For ease of transportability of qualifications between
DOE elements, program and field offices are expected to use this technical FAQS without
modification. Needed additional office-/site-/facility-specific technical competencies should be
handled separately. Satisfactory and documented attainment of the competency requirements
contained in this technical FAQS (see the Federal Technical Capability Program [FTCP]
Directives and Standards page at
http://www.hss.energy.gov/deprep/ftcp/directives/directives.asp for an example of the SSQA
FAQS qualification card) ensures that personnel possess the minimum requisite competence to
Section 3
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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fulfill their functional area duties and responsibilities common to the DOE complex. Additionally,
office-/site-/facility-specific qualification standards supplement this technical FAQS and establish
unique operational competency requirements at the Headquarters or field element, site, or
facility level.
It should be noted that the competencies of management and leadership, general technical
knowledge, regulations, administrative capability, and assessment and oversight are all
embodied in the competencies listed in this standard. All of these factors have a bearing on
safety. Although the focus of this standard is technical competence, competencies such as good
communication, recognized credibility, ability to listen and process information, and the ability to
guide an effort to get it right the first time are recognized as important aspects of safety.
IMPLEMENTATION
This SSQA FAQS identifies the minimum technical competency requirements for DOE
personnel who have a responsibility for safety software. Although there may be other
competency requirements associated with the positions held by DOE personnel, this technical
FAQS is limited to identifying the specific technical competencies required throughout all
defense nuclear facilities. The competency requirements define the expected knowledge and/or
skill that an individual must meet. Each of the competency requirements is further described by
a listing of supporting knowledge, and/or skill statements. The supporting knowledge and/or skill
statements for each competency requirement are provided to challenge the employee in the
breadth and depth of his/her understanding of the subject matter. In selected competencies,
expected knowledge, and/or skill have been designated as “mandatory performance activities.”
The mandatory performance activities are not optional.
The term “must” denotes a mandatory requirement, “should” denotes a recommended practice
that is not required, and “may” denotes an option in this standard.
The competencies identify a familiarity level, a working level, or an expert level of knowledge; or
they require the candidate to demonstrate the ability to perform a task or activity. These levels
are defined as follows:
Familiarity level is defined as basic knowledge of or exposure to the subject or process
adequate to discuss the subject or process with individuals of greater knowledge.
Working level is defined as the knowledge required to monitor and assess
operations/activities, to apply standards of acceptable performance, and to recognize the
need to seek and obtain appropriate expert advice (e.g., technical, legal, safety) or
consult appropriate reference materials required to ensure the safety of DOE activities.
Expert level is defined as a comprehensive, intensive knowledge of the subject or
process sufficient to provide advice in the absence of procedural guidance.
Demonstrate the ability is defined as the actual performance of a task or activity in
accordance with policy, procedures, guidelines, and/or accepted industry or DOE
practices.
Headquarters and field elements must establish a program and process to ensure that DOE
personnel possess the competencies required of their position, including the competencies
identified in this technical FAQS. Documentation of the completion of the requirements in the
SSQA FAQS must be included in the employee's training and qualification record. Satisfactory
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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Section 4
attainment of the competency requirements contained in this technical FAQS may be
documented using the example SSQA FAQS qualification card that can be obtained from the
Federal Technical Capability Program Directives and Standards page at
http://www.hss.energy.gov/deprep/ftcp/directives/directives.asp.
Equivalencies should be used sparingly and with the utmost rigor and scrutiny to maintain the
spirit and intent of the TQP. Equivalencies may be granted for individual competencies based
upon objective evidence of previous education, training, certification, or experience. Objective
evidence includes a combination of transcripts, certifications, and, in some cases, a knowledge
sampling through a written and/or oral examination. Equivalencies must be granted in
accordance with the TQP plan of the site/office/Headquarters organization qualifying the
individual. The supporting knowledge and/or skill statements and mandatory performance
activities should be considered when granting equivalency for a competency.
Training must be provided to employees in the TQP who do not meet the competencies
contained in this technical FAQS. Training may include, but is not limited to, formal classroom
and computer based courses, self-study, mentoring, on-the-job training, and special
assignments. Departmental training will be based upon appropriate supporting knowledge
and/or skill statements similar to the ones listed for each of the competency requirements.
Headquarters and field elements should use the supporting knowledge and/or skill statements
as a basis for evaluating the content of any training used to provide individuals with the requisite
knowledge and/or skill required to meet the SSQA FAQS competency requirements.
EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS
Attainment of the competencies listed in this technical FAQS must be documented in
accordance with the TQP plan of the site/office/Headquarters organization qualifying the
individual and the requirements in DOE M 360.1-1B, Federal Employee Training Manual, and
DOE O 426.1.
Unless stated otherwise within the TQP plan, attainment of the competencies listed in the SSQA
FAQS should be evaluated and documented by either a qualifying official or immediate
supervisor, using any one or a combination of the following methods: (Note: if the immediate
supervisor is not an SSQA engineer, it is expected that the supervisor consult with a qualified
SSQA engineer.)
• Satisfactory completion of a written examination
• Satisfactory completion of an oral examination
• Satisfactory accomplishment of an observed task or activity directly related to a
competency
• Documented evaluation of equivalencies without a written examination
Field element managers/Headquarters program managers must qualify candidates as
possessing the basic technical knowledge, technical discipline competency, and position-
specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required for their positions. Final qualification should be
performed using one or a combination of the following methods:
• Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive written examination. The minimum
passing grade should be 80 percent.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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• Satisfactory completion of an oral examination by a qualified Senior Technical Safety
Manager (STSM) or a qualification board of technically qualified personnel that
includes at least one qualified STSM.
• Satisfactory completion of a walkthrough of a facility with a qualifying official for the
purpose of verifying a candidate’s knowledge and practical skills of selected key
elements.
Section 5
Guidance for oral interviews and written exams is contained in DOE-HDBK-1205-97, DOE
Handbook: Guide to Good Practices for the Design, Development, and Implementation of
Examinations, and DOE-HDBK-1080-97, DOE Handbook: Guide to Good Practices for Oral
Examinations.
For oral examinations and walkthroughs, qualifying officials or board members should ask
critical questions intended to integrate identified learning objectives during qualification. Field
element managers/Headquarters program managers or designees should develop formal
guidance for oral examinations and walkthroughs that includes:
• Standards for qualification
• Use of technical advisors by a board
• Questioning procedures or protocol
• Pass/fail criteria
• Board deliberations and voting authorization procedures
• Documentation process
INITIAL QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING
Qualification of SSQA personnel must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of
DOE O 426.1.
DOE SSQA personnel must participate in continuing education and training as necessary to
improve their performance and ensure that they stay up-to-date on changing technologies and
new requirements. This may include courses and/or training provided by:
• DOE
• Other government agencies
• Outside vendors
• Educational institutions
Beyond formal classroom or computer based courses, continuing training may include:
• Self study
• Attendance at symposia, seminars, exhibitions
• Special assignments
• On-the-job experience
A description of suggested learning proficiency activities and the requirements for the continuing
education and training program for SSQA personnel are included in appendix A of this
document.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following are the typical duties and responsibilities expected of personnel assigned to the
SSQA functional area:
1 Support the DOE senior manager responsible for developing and implementing the DOE
SSQA program consistent with DOE O 414.1C and other customer requirements.
2 Serve as a resource to DOE management and technical point of contact for SSQA
activities.
3. Review safety and quality assurance documentation to ensure safety software is
properly identified, evaluated and controlled.
4. Verify that safety software is developed, procured, verified, validated, used and
maintained consistent with DOE O 414.1C.
5. Review and evaluate training and qualification programs for DOE and contractor
personnel who develop, procure, verify, validate, use, or maintain safety software, or
design, maintain, and implement SSQA programs.
6. Verify that DOE and the contractor’s software quality assurance (SQA) programs, plans
and processes are developed based on assessments of hazards and risks, and that
these elements comply with DOE Orders and applicable requirements.
7. Develop and implement plans that monitor and evaluate DOE and contractor
implementation of SSQA programs and processes, verifying adequacy, implementation
effectiveness, and compliance with applicable DOE directives and requirements.
8. Lead/perform reviews, surveillances, and assessments of SSQA programs, plans and
procedures and other oversight activities, document results, prepare reports, and
monitor resulting actions.
9. Interface with DOE Headquarters and field elements, regulators, and stakeholders to
ensure the effective implementation of DOE SSQA programs.
10. Verify all safety software is identified and graded in accordance with DOE O 414.1C and
other applicable requirements.
Section 6
11. Monitor contractor organization to ensure reportable occurrences involving safety
software to ensure that lessons learned are captured and disseminated to appropriate
organizations and individuals and that implementation of corrective actions is effective.
Position-specific duties and responsibilities for SSQA personnel are contained in their
office/facility-specific qualification standard or position description.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook establishes
minimum education, training, experience, or other relevant requirements applicable to a
particular occupational series/grade level, as well as alternatives to meeting specified
requirements. The preferred education and experience for SSQA personnel is:
1. Education:
Baccalaureate degree in engineering, science, computer science, information
technology or a related discipline; or meet the alternative requirements specified for
engineers or scientists in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook. Baccalaureate
degrees in other disciplines may also be appropriate based on the duties to be
performed and considering the experience gained in performing related software
development, maintenance, management, and quality assurance activities.
2. Experience:
Commercial, industrial, military, Federal, state, or other directly related experience that
has provided specialized experience in software development, management, and quality
assurance activities. Specialized experience can be demonstrated through possession
of the competencies outlined in this FAQS.
In addition to this education and experience, certifications from other professional
societies such as National Lead Auditor Certification (e.g., ASME NQA-1 and ASQ),
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer
(CSQE), ASQ Certified Manager of Quality (CMQ) or Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Certification may serve as the basis for equivalency of
competencies in portions of this standard.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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REQUIRED TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
The competencies contained in this standard are in addition to and distinct from those
competencies contained in the DOE-STD-1146, DOE Standard: General Technical Base
Qualification Standard. All SSQA personnel must satisfy the competency requirements of the
General Technical Base Qualification Standard prior to or in parallel with the competency
requirements contained in this standard. Each of the competency requirements is further
described by a listing of supporting knowledge and/or skill statements that describe the intent of
the competency statements. In selected competencies, expected knowledge and/or skills have
been designated as “mandatory performance activities.” In these competencies, the actions are
not optional.
Note: When regulations, DOE directives, or other industry standards are referenced in the
FAQS, the most recent revision should be used. It is recognized that some SSQA personnel
may oversee facilities that utilize predecessor documents to those identified. In those cases,
such documents should be included in local qualification standards via the TQP.
I. Software Management and Quality Assurance
1. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a working level
knowledge of DOE quality assurance policy, programs, and processes contained
in:
• DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance
• 10 CFR 830, Subpart A, “Quality Assurance”
Section 7
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the purpose and interrelationships of DOE O 414.1C, and 10 CFR 830,
Subpart A.
b. Discuss the DOE and contractor requirements and responsibilities for development,
review, approval, and implementation of a quality assurance program (QAP).
c. Discuss and give an example of how the safety software inventory requirements
specified in DOE O 414.1C can be met.
d. Discuss the purpose, benefits, and restrictions of the graded approach in the
implementation of DOE quality assurance requirements.
e. Discuss the implementation of a software quality assurance program such as
described in DOE G 414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830
Subpart A, Quality Assurance Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality
Assurance.
f. Discuss and give examples of how national or international consensus standards can
be used in the development and implementation of work processes to provide an
equivalent level of quality assurance requirements.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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2. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a working level
knowledge of the elements of a successful software quality assurance program.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the purpose, scope and content of the following types of software
management plan(s) as they relate to safety software quality:
• Software project management plan
• Software risk management plan
• Software development plan
• Software safety plan
• Software quality assurance plan
• Software test plan
• Software verification and validation plan
• Software configuration management plan
• Software procurement and supplier management plan
• Software problem reporting and corrective action plan
• Software integration plan
• Software maintenance plan
• Software installation plan
• Software operations plan
• Software training plan
• Software retirement plan
b. Identify and describe safety software procurement methods, including supplier
evaluation and source inspection processes.
c. Using the references below, describe the various elements of an acceptable safety
software quality assurance program for the development, use, grading, and
maintenance of safety software.
• 10 CFR 830, “Nuclear Safety Management”
• DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance
• DOE G 414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A,
Quality Assurance Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance
• DOE O 200.1A, Information Technology Management
• ASME NQA-1-2000, Quality Assurance Requirements for Nuclear Facility
Applications, including Part I, Part II Subpart 2.7 and Part IV Subpart 4.1
• IEEE 730.1, IEEE Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans
II. Safety Software and System Relationship
3. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a working level
knowledge of the types of safety software and grading levels.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Explain the general characteristics, application, and safety significance of safety
software including: safety system software; safety and hazard analysis software and
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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design software; safety management and administration controls software.
b. Given examples of safety software, identify the grading levels, and the applicable
SQA work activities associated with the safety software (such as defined in DOE G
414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality
Assurance Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance).
Section 8
c. Describe the process for identifying safety software.
d. Describe the function of the following safety software types (such as defined in DOE
G 414.1-4) and applications and provide an example of each:
• Custom developed
• Configurable
• Acquired
• Utility calculations
• Commercial design and analysis
e. Differentiate between real time and non-real time software.
4. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of the functional interfaces between safety system software and the
system-level design.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Identify how safety system-level requirements are established and then assigned to
hardware, software, and human components.
b. Identify the typical requirements that define functional interfaces between safety
system software components and the system-level design, such as described in
IEEE 830, IEEE Recommended Practice for Software Requirements Specifications
and IEEE 7-4.3.2, Standard Criteria for Digital Computers in Safety Systems of
Nuclear Power Generating Stations.
c. Explain with an example how the functional interfaces between components and the
system-level design are established and how the safety system software controls the
safety functions of the subsystems, components, and interfaces.
5. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of the safety and engineering scenarios that are modeled by software.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Explain with an example the sequence of steps that are typically followed in the
development process of a safety analysis or design code such as the mathematical
model and the associated computational model.
b. Identify and discuss with an example safety analysis scenarios appropriate to
simulate with safety software.
c. Identify and discuss with an example appropriate uses of design software to assist
with safety-related design decisions.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
10
6. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of the relationships between nuclear hazards and the control and
protection functions being addressed by safety management and administrative
controls software.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Identify how the software functional requirements of safety management and
administrative controls software are defined, documented, and controlled relative to
nuclear hazard controls and protection, risk management, and design constraints.
b. Given the scope of safety management and administrative controls software, explain
how the radiological hazard controls and protection being addressed by the software
were translated into software functional requirements, and how the software supports
nuclear hazards risk management functions.
7. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of the purpose, features, and contents of the DOE safety software
Central Registry.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the purpose of the safety software Central Registry, and identify the current
codes in the Central Registry.
b. Discuss the intent and use of the following documents as they relate to the codes in
the safety software Central Registry:
• Code gap analysis report
• Code guidance report
c. Using DOE G 414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A,
Quality Assurance Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance, as a
reference, describe the SQA requirements that are applicable to the Central Registry
codes and the SQA activities the DOE users need to perform for the Central Registry
codes.
Section 9
III. Software Engineering, Development, and Maintenance
8. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a working level
knowledge of the software life-cycle processes.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the differences between various life-cycle models such as waterfall, spiral,
incremental, and evolutionary, and, how they relate to the software development
process.
b. Describe each phase, associated SQA work activities, and products of a typical
software life-cycle model such as the one described in DOE G 414-1-4, Safety
Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality Assurance
DOE-STD-1172-2011
11
Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance and IEEE 1074, IEEE
Standard for Developing a Software Project Life Cycle Process. Explain the roles of
quality assurance, configuration management, and verification and validation in each
phase.
9. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a working level
knowledge of software requirements identification and management.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Explain how software requirements specifications (SRS) are developed and used
throughout the software life cycle.
b. Define and discuss the SRS attributes as they relate to safety software such as
described in DOE G 414-1-4, Safety Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830
Subpart A, Quality Assurance Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance
and IEEE 830, IEEE Recommended Practice for Software Requirements
Specifications.
c. Describe the purpose, scope, and content of SRS and requirements traceability
matrix and describe the methods to ensure that all elements of the SRS are
addressed.
d. Describe and give specific examples of the following software requirements such as
described in DOE G 414.1-4:
• Functional
• Performance
• Access control
• Interface with safety requirements
• Installation considerations
• Design constraints
10. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of the safety software design concepts.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the following software design concepts as they relate to safety software
such as described in part in IEEE 1016, IEEE Recommended Practice for Software
Design Descriptions:
• Modular design
• External interface
• Interfaces between both safety and non-safety components
• Interface integrity
• Data integrity
• Flow control
• Exception and error handling
• Simplicity
• Decoupling
• Isolation
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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• Software failure mode analyses
11. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of the safety software design and implementation practices.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the following concepts as they relate to safety software coding:
• Development environment
• Target environments and reusable components
• Data structure
• Logic structure
• Embedded comments
• Peer reviews
b. Discuss the following documents and describe how each supports safety software
coding:
• Design specifications
• Program specifications
• Coding standards
• System design document
• Programmers manual
• Users manual
12. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a working level
knowledge of the safety software verification and validation processes that ensure
software will adequately fulfill all intended safety functions.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
Section 10
a. Describe the following processes and documents as they relate to safety software
verification and validation such as described in IEEE 1012, IEEE Standard for
Software Verification and Validation:
• Validation of requirements
• Verification and validation of design
• Verification and validation of source code
• Unit/component testing
• Integration testing
• System testing
• Verification and validation test cases
• Verification and validation reports
• Verification and validation of tools
• Independent verification and validation
• Acceptance testing
• Installation and checkout testing
b. Describe methods for reviewing a verification and validation program.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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c. Use an example of a safety analysis or design code to explain the following:
• How verification primarily is the process of determining that the computational
model represents the underlying mathematical model/solution.
• How validation is the process of determining that the model accurately
represents the physical phenomenon/feature being modeled (predictive
capability) from the perspective of its intended use.
d. Explain the differences in the verification and validation processes for various types
and applications safety software.
e. Describe the controls used to ensure that calculations performed using spreadsheets
and other calculation programs are accurate. Identify the records that are maintained
to document the calculation process.
f. Describe the relationships between test procedures, test cases, expected results,
test data, and actual results.
13. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of software safety analysis.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the purpose and content of the following and relate the importance of each
to software safety analysis, such as described in DOE G 414-1-4, Safety Software
Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality Assurance Requirements, and
DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance and IEEE 1228, IEEE Standard for Software
Safety Plans.
• Software safety plan
• Software safety requirements analysis
• Software safety design analysis
• Software safety code analysis
• Software safety test analysis
• Software safety change analysis
14. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a familiarity level
knowledge of activities that ensure that safety software will be properly
maintained and will continue to operate as intended.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the following concepts as they relate to safety software maintenance and
operation such as described in IEEE 1219, IEEE Standard for Software
Maintenance:
Software maintainability
Maintenance planning
Performance monitoring
Preventative maintenance
DOE-STD-1172-2011
14
15. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate a working level
knowledge of software configuration management.
Supporting Knowledge and/or Skills
a. Discuss the following concepts as they relate to safety software configuration
management such as described in IEEE 828, IEEE Standard for Software
Configuration Management Plans and explain how each is applied:
• Software configuration management plan
• Configuration identification
• Configuration change control
• Configuration status accounting
• Configuration audits and reviews
• Subcontractor and vendor control
• Software configuration management tools, including source code control tools
Section 11
b. Review and evaluate an unreviewed safety question (USQ) determination associated
with software including any proposed change or potential inadequacy.
c. Discuss the process of problem reporting and corrective actions and its
implementation related to software configuration management.
IV. Safety Software Assessments
16. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate the ability to
perform an assessment of safety software quality using appropriate DOE
directives and standards and industry standards.
Mandatory Performance Activities
a. Participate in and document one or more SQA assessments that demonstrate the
ability to adequately assess SQA work activities selected from the following as
described in DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance and DOE G 414.1-4, Safety
Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality Assurance
Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance
• Software project management and quality planning
• Software risk management
• Software configuration management.
• Procurement and supplier management
• Software requirements identification and management
• Software design and implementation
• Software safety
• Verification and validation
• Problem reporting and corrective action
• Training of personnel in the design, development, testing, use, and evaluation
of safety software.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
15
b. Safety software quality assurance personnel must demonstrate through an
assessment the ability to evaluate safety software in relation to the safety basis, and
explain how any changes that may affect the safety software function are controlled.
The following are examples of activities that may demonstrate this ability:
• Identify and discuss the safety function of safety software related to the
prevention or mitigation of hazards or accidents identified in the safety basis
documentation. Additionally, identify the facility equipment and/or system by
walking down with a cognizant system engineer.
• Review the function of safety software that controls a safety function as
defined in a technical safety requirement (TSR) or an administrative control,
including the technical basis for the control.
• Review permanent or temporary changes made to a safety system digital
instrumentation and control (I&C) that involve changes to safety software
configuration and implementation; evaluate how those changes were
processed through the facility's USQ procedures; review how any changes
made to the safety software were documented and review verified; and how
any changes to the safety basis documentation or facility procedures were
implemented. Summarize the review activity along with any observations and
insights gained.
• Identify some of the major input parameters of a safety software and
summarize how they are being controlled to prevent any undesired changes.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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APPENDIX A
CONTINUING EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PROFICIENCY PROGRAM
The following list represents suggested continuing education, training, and other activities that
are available for DOE personnel after completion of the competency requirements in this FAQS.
It is extremely important that personnel involved with this program maintain their proficiency
through continuing education, training, reading, or other activities such as workshops, seminars,
and conferences. The list of suggested activities was developed by the subject matter experts
involved in the development of the FAQS and is not all-inclusive.
Section 12
LIST OF CONTINUING EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
It is suggested that participation in the following activities support the maintenance of proficiency
in the SSQA functional area after completion of competencies in the standard and the
requirements of the Technical Qualification Program:
1. Continuing technical education and/or training covering topics directly related to the SQA
area as determined appropriate by management. This may include courses/training
provided by DOE, other government agencies, outside vendors, or local educational
institutions.
2. Training covering topics that address identified deficiencies in the knowledge and/or skills of
SSQA personnel.
3. Training in areas added to the SSQA FAQS since initial qualification.
4. Attend seminars, workshops, symposia, or technical meetings related to SQA.
5. Engage in self-study of new regulations, requirements, or advances related to SQA.
6. Participation in activities required to maintain QA related certification, such as:
• Lead Auditor Certification (e.g., ASME NQA-1 and ASQ)
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)
• ASQ Certified Manager of Quality (CMQ)
7. Training in the scope and application of DOE’s overall QA requirements of 10 CFR 830
Subpart A and DOE Order 414.1C as they relate to software used in nuclear activities.
8. Specific continuing training requirements must be documented in individual development
plans.
9. Participation in activities such as: SSQA-related audits, assessments, surveillances, and
operational readiness reviews.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
17
RESOURCES:
Department of Energy
Office of Health, Safety and Security
Software Quality Assurance
http://www.hss.doe.gov/nuclearsafety/qa
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, New York 10016-5997
http://www.computer.org/portal/site/ieeecs/index.jsp
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
600 North Plankinton Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
http://www.asq.org/
Software Engineering Institute (SEI)
4500 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2612
http://www.sei.cmu.edu/
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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APPENDIX B
REFERENCES AND RESOURCE DOCUMENTS
This appendix provides a list of reference documents as well as several pertinent standards and
reports. The identified resource materials are not intended to be all inclusive, but do provide
significant information for self-study.
10 CFR 830, Subpart A, “Quality Assurance Requirements”
10 CFR 830, Subpart B, “Safety Basis Requirements”
DOE G 414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality Assurance
Requirements, and DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance
DOE O 200.1A, Information Technology Management
DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance
DOE O 420.1B, chg 1, Facility Safety
DOE O 430.1B, chg 1, Real Property Asset Management
ASME NQA-1-2000, Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Nuclear Facility Applications:
Part I, Requirements for Quality Assurance Programs for Nuclear Facilities
Part II, Subpart 2.7, Quality Assurance Requirements for Computer Software for Nuclear
Facility Operations
Part IV, Subpart 4.1, Application Appendix—Guide on Quality Assurance Requirements
for Software.
ASME V&V 10-2006, Guide for Verification and Validation in Computational Solid Mechanics
IEEE 7-4.3.2, Standard Criteria for Digital Computers in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power
Section 13
Generating Stations
IEEE 730.1, IEEE Guide for Software Quality Assurance Planning
IEEE 828, IEEE Standard for Software Configuration Management Plans
IEEE 829, IEEE Standard for Software Test Documentation
IEEE 830, IEEE Recommended Practice for Software Requirements Specifications
IEEE 1008, IEEE Standard for Software Unit Testing
IEEE 1012, IEEE Standard for Software Verification and Validation
IEEE 1016, IEEE Recommended Practice for Software Design Descriptions
IEEE 1028, IEEE Standard for Software Reviews
IEEE 1042, IEEE Guide to Software Configuration Management
IEEE 1074, IEEE Standard for Developing a Software Project Life Cycle Process
IEEE 1219, IEEE Standard for Software Maintenance
IEEE 1228, IEEE Standard for Software Safety Plans
IEEE/EIA 12207.2-1997 Industry Implementation of International Standard
ISO/IEC 12207: 1995: Information Technology—Software Life Cycle Processes—
Implementation Considerations, IEEE and EIA, 1998.
ISO/IEC 15288, System Life Cycle Processes
NUREG/CR 6263, High Integrity Software for Nuclear Power Plants
Regulatory Guide 1.152, Criteria for Digital Computers in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power
Plants
DOE-STD-1172-2011
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Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration
Christensen, Mark J., and Richard H. Thayer, The Project Manager's Guide to Software
Engineering's Best Practices, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer
Society Press, 2001.
Herrmann, Debra S., Software Safety and Reliability: Techniques, Approaches, and Standards
of Key Industrial Sectors (Practitioners), IEEE Computer Society, 2000.
Leveson, Nancy, Safeware: System Safety and Computers, Addison Wesley, 1995.
Pressman, Roger S., Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach, McGraw Hill, 1992.
DOE-STD-1172-2011
20
CONCLUDING MATERIAL
Review Activity: Field and Operations Offices Preparing Activity:
HSS
NNSA
EM
NE
SC
CTA/CNS
CTA/CDNS
CBFO
CH
ID
OH
OR
ORP
RL
SR
HS-23
Project Number:
TRNG-0054
Site Offices:
Argonne Site Office
Brookhaven Site Office
Fermi Site Office
Kansas City Site Office
Livermore Site Office
Los Alamos Site Office
Nevada Site Office
Pantex Site Office
Princeton Site Office
Savannah River Site Office
Sandia Site Office
Y-12 Site Office