Organization
Technical Leadership
The CASL Technical Leadership consists of the Focus Areas (FA) Leads, Deputy FA Leads, Project Leads, and Product Integrators.
Focus Area Leads
CASL FA Leads are recognized technical leaders and subject matter experts (SMEs) in one or more of the science and engineering fields falling within the scope of their FAs. FA Leads develop their Plan of Record (PoR) project plans, budgets, and staffing to complete milestones and are responsible for integration of their FA technical activities vertically (within the FA) and horizontally (across other FAs). Focus Area Leads both lead and participate in the technical R&D; activities executed within each of their FA Projects.
Focus Area Leads are frequently called upon for documentation and presentations on the technical content, progress, plans, and challenges within their FAs. They support the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in interacting with the Science Council (SC) and the Industry Council (IC) by making presentations at SC and IC meetings and assuring any action items in their FA are addressed as scheduled. They are responsible for judging the quality and completeness of work developed within their FA, and bringing to the attention of SLT any issues that require their attention.
Focus Area Deputy Leads
CASL FA Deputy Leads report to and work as partners with their respective FA Leads. They are charged with leading and representing their FAs in the absence of the FA Leads and in general help to ensure their FAs are executing efficiently and according to their technical plans. FA Deputy Leads, like FA Leads, are recognized technical leaders and SMEs in one or more of the science and engineering fields falling within the scope of their FAs. Typically, the Deputy Leads are experts in fields that are different from the FA Lead areas of expertise so that leadership breadth and depth is ensured within each FA. FA Deputy Leads may also lead one or more of the projects falling within their FAs.
Projects Leads
CASL Project Leads (PLs) are responsible for all technical plans, budget, and execution within the scope of the project. PLs are recognized technical leaders and subject matter experts in the science and engineering fields falling within the scope of their projects, and they lead and participate in the technical R&D; activities executed within each of the projects. The PLs report to their respective FA Leads, but in many cases the FA Leads (and/or or Deputy Leads) also act as the PL. When the PL is distinct from the FA Lead, they are responsible for judging the quality and completeness of work completed within their Project, bringing to the attention of the FA Lead any issues that require their attention.
Product Integrators
Product Integrators have responsibilities for driving critical applications, products, and outcomes that cross over FA boundaries. They work with teams across FA boundaries to jointly deliver a specific product or outcome with VERA. Product integrators work with the FA teams to set and define milestones, to complete certain milestones as appropriate, and to review milestones for which they are the customer. Product Integrators will be established (or retired) as areas for application are identified and as CASL continues to evolve.
Challenge Problem Product Integrators
An overall Challenge Problem Product Integrator, who reports to the Chief Scientist, oversees solutions to the CASL Challenge Problems. An individual Product Integrator has been identified for each Challenge Problem. Five have been identified at present covering the following six Challenge Problems: CRUD, GTRF PCI, RIA, LOCA and DNB; more are expected as CASL continues to evolve.
The Overall Product Integrator interacts with the individual Challenge Problem Product Integrators. The individual Product Integrator identifies key steps for addressing the Challenge Problem, helps set up test problems (not necessarily experiments) to gauge progress on addressing Challenge Problems, coordinates with the Product Applications Lead, and proposes, schedule for completion of tasks.
The individual Product Integrators are responsible for updating the Product Technical Specifications and ensuring that VERA requirements are consistent with Technical Specifications, and that the Challenge Problem solution capabilities are practical for usage by industry.
Validation Data Product Integrator
The Validation Data Product Integrator, who reports to the Deputy Director, oversees identification of quality and relevant experimental and operating reactor data to be used for VERA validation and assessment, archiving of validated data, and assuring VERA validation is completed to prescribed standards.
Core Simulator Product Integrator
The Core Simulator Product Integrator, who reports to the Chief Scientist, works with a cross-FA team to ensure that the industry-driven design and analysis components of VERA, namely those “core simulator” components that specifically address basic industry workflows (e.g., load follow, core reload, core redesign, startup physics tests, core follow, etc.), are met and delivered in a timely fashion to users in AMA and outside of CASL (e.g., Industry Council pilot projects, etc.).
Product Applications Coordinator
The Product Applications Coordinator (PAC), who reports to the SLT, has overall responsibility for the management and testing of CASL products on real-world industry-relevant reactor challenges and problems. The PAC must work with the CASL Extended Leadership Team (ELT) to:
- Manage and balance both emergent and current opportunities for CASL products;
- Devise commensurate tactical and strategic requirements; and
- Establish implementation plans for those opportunities deemed appropriate to pursue.
The PAC works closely with the Industry Council Chair in being the external face of CASL to industry. The PAC also works closely with the CASL SLT to recommend product definition and application changes as well as any associated programmatic course corrections. The PAC works with and relies upon the Product Integrators to ensure that CASL products result from the timely integration of technologies and capabilities across all the FAs, and to ensure that Pilot Project and Test Stands are meaningful. The Project Manager and AMA and VRI FAs in particular will work closely with the PAC to ensure that current and upcoming PoRs are consistent and adherent to CASL Pilot Project and Test Stand plans and needs.