Section 9 Technology qualification applied to services

9.1.1 This Section deals with how TQ could be applied to a service, rather than a physical asset, component or product.

9.1.2 A service, in the context of these Guidance Notes, is intended to cover technologies that involve or depend upon manual inputs, interactions, communications, interpretation and/or decision making to a significant extent.

9.1.3 Through this Section the term ‘method’ is used to cover all aspects of the service, such as processes, human interfaces and communications.

9.2.1 When applying TQ to a service it is just as important to first identify the goals which the development of the service is aiming to achieve (refer to Ch 1, 4.2 Goal setting).

9.3.1 In the technology appraisal of the service, the functional decomposition is normally considered to be the most suitable approach for decomposing the methods being applied. Refer to Ch 1, 4.2 Goal setting 4.2.2.

9.4.2  Methods which are considered mature will not form part of the technology risk assessment. All other methods should be considered in the technology risk assessment.

9.5.1 If the parts of a method feed into another part of the method or is dependent on another part of the method then the process cannot be considered in isolation. The impact on a method by this interdependence needs to be considered. If the interaction is between mature methods only then there will be no change in the ranking.

9.5.2 All other interactions will adjust the ranking of the method. For example, if method ‘A’ (a mature method) interacts with method ‘B’ (a new method), then method ‘B’ should be re-categorised as a ‘mature method but being used in a new way’. In other words method ‘B’ will go through the technology risk assessment procedure.

9.6.1 It is recommended that a HAZOP is used for the technology risk assessment, using IEC 61882 as a reference. This Section should be read alongside IEC 61882 and should be seen as clarification with regards application to TQ. The applicable paragraph numbers of IEC 61882 are referenced in the following paragraphs.

9.6.2 Roles and responsibilities (IEC 61882, 6.3). It is noted that the effectiveness of the HAZOP study will depend on the members of the HAZOP team and in particular the ’study leader’.

9.6.3 Preparatory work (IEC 61882, 6.4). The outline of the study plan should be forwarded to LR, before the HAZOP study commences, for review.

9.6.4 Styles of recording (IEC 61882, 6.6.2). It is noted that two basic styles of recording are outlined in this paragraph of the standard. For the purposes of TQ certification ’full recording’ is recommended.

9.6.5 Reporting requirements (IEC 61882, 6.6.4). The final report should be submitted to LR for review as with all technology risk assessments that support the TQ process

9.6.6 Follow-up and responsibility (IEC 61882, 6.7). If the HAZOP report results in changes then these changes will be required to be reflected in further HAZOP studies.

9.7.1 The actions identified in the HAZOP should be used to identify the qualification activities specified in the TQP. All other aspects of the TQP should follow Ch 1, 5 Technology Qualification stage 2: Technology Qualification plan.