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June 2010 | Argonne National Laboratory, USA

Overview of the Triad Approach

Dr. Bob JohnsonArgonne National Laboratory


ENVIRONET Environmental Remediation Training Course

Module Overview

The three components of the Triad Approach and how the they relate to one another

Opportunities for integrating the Triad Approach into any phase of a project's lifecycle

Types of sites to which Triad can be applied



The Triad Approach

Synthesizes practitioner experience, successes, and lessons learned into an institutional framework

Systematic Planning

Dynamic Work

Strategies

Real-Time Measurement Technologies



Triad is about Managing Uncertainty

Analytical uncertainty– Methods? / Quantity? / Quality? / Validation? / Appropriate Use?

Sampling uncertainty– Media? / Methods? / Location Distribution? / Depth? / Purpose?

Site decision uncertainty– Risk? / Action Levels? / Remedy? / Stakeholder Acceptability?

Resource uncertainty– Funding? / Schedule? / Personnel? / Logistics? / Weather?



What is Systematic Planning?

A process for building a consensus vision for

conducting environmental investigation and remediation



Systematic Planning Activities

Assemble the stakeholders/create core technical team

Prepare for and facilitate systematic planning meeting

Define site reuse goals and project exit strategy Identify critical decisions/decision-making processes Consider regulatory and risk-based criteria Develop Baseline Conceptual Site Model (CSM) Identify key data gaps in the Baseline CSM

– If applicable, discuss competing CSMs and key differences



Systematic Planning Activities (cont.) Develop Dynamic Work Strategy (DWS)

elements to eliminate data gaps and test the CSM

Identify and quantify acceptable levels of uncertainty

Plan demonstrations of method applicability Plan for real-time data management,

assessment, visualization and communication Plan for procurement of technologies and

services



How is Systematic Planning Different? A robust Baseline CSM is used to develop the project

and data quality objectives and a detailed outline of the DWS

Stakeholder concerns and specific decision criteria are identified and integrated into streamlined work plans

Quality assurance and control requirements are identified, clearly stated and agreed upon– Analytical, sampling, statistics, visualization

Planning efforts look beyond initial project goals to include reuse, performance metrics, exit strategies, and non-technical uncertainties



Systematic Planning Example: Baseline CSM



Characterization CSM Stage



Design CSM Stage



What is a Dynamic Work Strategy?

A work strategy that incorporates the flexibility to adapt to information

generated by real-time measurement technologies



How are Dynamic Work Strategies Different? Sequencing of activities is decision driven and

based on a CSM Use of collaborative data sets

– Multiple lines of evidence, control different uncertainties

Streamlined work plans Real-time data management and communication Uncertainty, risk and cost management Consider potential remedies and reuse



Site Characterization: Traditional vs. Triad ApproachTraditional Approach – Low Resolution / Fixed Workplan

$ $ $

$ $ $Fixed Lab Analytical

Uncertainty

Sampling Uncertainty

Ex 1

CSM Incomplete; Repeated Mobilizations

¢ ¢¢ ¢¢ ¢¢

Rapid Analytical

DataUncertainty

Sampling Uncertainty Controlled Through Increased Sampling Density

Ex 2

¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢

¢ ¢¢ ¢

Triad Approach - High Resolution / Dynamic Workplan

DONEConfirmation Sampling

Sampling Uncertainty Controlled by Fixed Lab Confirmation

Fixed Lab Data Uncertainty Ex 3

$

$



Components of Dynamic “Learn-As-You-Go”Work Strategies Balances workloads to improve efficiency

Uses decision logic to guide field activities

Updates and revises Characterization CSM– Reconciling conflicting data

– Incorporating supporting data

Revises decision criteria in response to data

Communicates data to field and decision teams



What is Meant by “Real-Time?”

Real time is within a time frame that allows the

project team to react to the information while in

the field



Real-Time Direct Sensing Tools



How Is Data Collection Different? Provides a greater density of measurements Uses collaborative data sets Employs strict field QA/QC to maximize

usefulness of data and target confirmatory or collaborative sample analysis where needed

Often uses field-based action levels or response factors with a margin of safety

Uses real-time data management and communication strategies



Environmental Project Lifecycle



Timeline and Lifecycle Stages with Traditional Approach



Timeline and Lifecycle Stages with Triad Approach



The Big Picture: Data Flow & Tools

CSM Life Cycle Evolution

DatabaseField Data

Lab Data

Distance Collaboration Decision Support Tools

Data Visualization Tools

Communicate Make Decisions

Store Data Process Data

ScribletsForms II LiteR5 EDD,SEDDField tools (eg XRF)

Scribe.netEPA OSC WebsiteQuickplaceCollaboration PagesWeb Conferencing

Field Database (e.g., Scribe)Regional Data Repository (WQX/STORET, EQuIS)

MAROSF/S PlusFIELDS ToolsVSPSADADST MatrixEVS

Collect Data



Projects Best Suited for the Triad Approach

Site characterization remains incomplete High levels of uncertainty Heterogeneity is high Time frames to reach goals are limited Sites where the selected remedy is not working

as planned



Projects Not Well Suited for the Triad Approach Sites where scheduling does not allow for

sufficient up front planning Sites with proven remedies or standard

approaches Sites where key stakeholders are not interested

in cooperating or using innovative methods Dynamic decision making is not advantageous Sites where contaminants or site constraints do

not permit the use of innovative methods



Module Summary The Triad Approach has three main components

– Systematic planning– Dynamic work strategies– Real-time measurement technologies

Each component includes a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Triad BMPs can be used during any phase of the environmental project lifecycle

Use the CSM as the basis for establishing and documenting agreement on final site decisions


Systematic Planning for Triad Projects

Dr. Bob JohnsonArgonne National Laboratory



Module Overview

Engaging stakeholders

Preparing for a systematic planning meeting

Elements of a systematic planning meeting

Life cycle of the Conceptual Site Model (CSM)

Demonstration of Methods Applicability (DMA)



Overview of Preparation Activities Engaging stakeholders Preparing for the systematic planning meeting

– Organize project team– Research and summarize site information into

Preliminary CSM– Gather information on likely technologies– Submit Preliminary CSM to stakeholders for review

before the meeting– Assemble systematic planning briefcase– Coordinate systematic planning meeting logistics



Overview of Systematic Planning Meeting Introduction and consensus on primary project

goals, authority, and lines of communication Identify key site decisions and decision-making

processes, decision logics, rules, etc. Create the Baseline CSM based on refinement

of Preliminary CSM Identify key data gaps and areas of uncertainty Identify real-time technologies to collect data Develop detailed outline for DWS Evaluate exit strategies, contingencies, and

performance metrics



Overview of Post-Meeting Activities Meeting Minutes, documentation Additional research as needed

– Technologies, DMA, sampling designs Finalize uncertainty tables, data gap analysis

– Information needs requiring sampling – Non-sampling information

Follow-up discussions on incomplete items– Agreement, consensus, or process to resolve issues

Complete development of Baseline CSM Draft DWS Work Plan (see Module 4)



Engaging Stakeholders



Gaining Stakeholder Acceptance Ensure Stakeholders have basic Triad knowledge Understand current regulatory guidance Identify specific obstacles to acceptance

– Perceived vs. actual Develop relationships with advocates Meet to present proposal to use Triad Approach

– Provide primer on Triad Approach– Demonstrate technical method applicability– Show sensitivity / present solutions to constraints

Secure and document commitments to participate



Sustaining Stakeholder Participation Follow through with strong systematic planning

effort/partnering ethic Agree to project communications plan

– On-site versus remote Triad project team– Frequency and type of communication keyed to data/decisions– Meetings or conference calls supported with Web-conferencing– Project Web sites for key data/document sharing

Establish trust through delivering on commitments Deal with issues objectively, clearly, and with respect Use the CSM as the basis for establishing and

documenting agreement on decisions



Managing Uncertainty

Site Closure

Beneficial Land Reuse

Demonstrating Triad Value to Different Audiences

Insurers, Lenders, Regulators

andConsultants

Site Owners, Buyers,

Developers and Regulators

Political, Public, Development

TechnicalFocus

PolicyFocus

PropertyFocus



Measures of Success

No Surprises, Ensures Information Quality

• Better site characterization, fewer unknowns

Profitability• Performance-driven contracts allow innovation to save costs

Maximum Protectiveness and Reuse Potential

• Quality decisions ensure protection of environment, human health

• Property brought back into use quickly, helping economy



Measures of Success

Saves Time andMoney

•Fewer mobilizations•Reduces debate•Insurance less costly•Get to closure and reuse faster

•Remedy optimization•Avoids “overdesign”

End Goals Meet Expectations

• Intended reuse achieved

Minimizes Workload, Maximizes Control

•Constant oversight not required

•Easy to check whether decision logic is followed

(continued)



Items to Verify Before Starting a Triad Project An SOW is not in place or can be revised

Subject matter experts are available

Time to modify the plan

Stakeholders cooperate and all are involved

Procurement staff is involved

Regulatory and political barriers are overcome



Meeting Preparation – Project Team Develop the project organization

– Identify stakeholders and decision-makers– Assemble the core technical team and

support



Identify Stakeholders and Decision-makers A person or group that can impose

requirements/changes or is directly impacted by information generated from the project. Any group or individual with “veto” power.– Federal and State agency personnel– Local agency personnel– Local elected officials– Developer– Community members– Potentially responsible party– Environmental consultants and key technology providers– End data users



Assemble Core Technical Team Core technical team plans, develops and

implements the dynamic work strategy Project manager leads core technical team Potential areas of expertise

– Geosciences– Chemistry– Biology– Data management– QA– Risk assessment– Engineering



Assemble Support for Core Technical Team Technical experts and support staff examples

– Community relations » Statistics– Health and safety » Regulatory

Field staff Contractors and vendors

– Drilling and direct push sampling– Geotechnical and geophysical– Analytical, direct sensing



Meeting Preparation – Research

Conduct site and technology research and create the Preliminary CSM– Provides basis for developing the Baseline

CSM– Determine likely real-time technologies to be

used Consider potential elements of the dynamic work

strategy

(continued)



Meeting Preparation – Research

Additional preparation actions:– Evaluate existing data and summarize and/or depict

current understanding– Identify obvious critical data gaps– Evaluate potential decision criteria– Identify pathway-receptor networks– Consider possible reuse options, potential remedies,

and exit strategies

(continued)



Meeting Preparation – Research Consider key elements of the DWS

– Summarize known project goals, including action levels or decision criteria

– Identify known and potentially applicable real-time technologies

– Identify technologies and methods that may require DMAs

– Outline probable data management, visualization, and communication strategy needs



What is a CSM? Written and graphical expression of site

knowledge Basis for project design and execution Used throughout project lifecycle Dynamic, living planning tool Not unique to Triad but . . . essential to Triad



Life Cycle CSM Supports Project Phases Preliminary CSM

– Developed prior to systematic planning

Baseline CSM– Supports systematic planning; documents stakeholder consensus

Characterization CSM Stage– Used to guide investigation efforts and support decision making

Design CSM Stage– Basis for remedy design

Remediation / Mitigation CSM Stage– Used to guide efforts, meet objectives and support optimization

Post Remedy(s) CSM Stage– Documents attainment of remediation objectives and goals



CSM Life Cycle Mimics Project Stages



Preliminary CSM

Based on review and summarization of historical data

Phase of project and state of information dictates level of effort

Level of visualization needed based on:– Scale and nature of site complexity– Nature and volume of historical data– Available funding and schedule

Needs to be comprehensible to all stakeholders



Baseline CSM Stakeholder site evaluation and planning tool

– Establish stakeholder consensus on site conditions– Identify key site decision data gaps/ CSM contentious

components– Develop project and data quality objectives– Design collaborative data sets– Select real-time measurement technologies– Determine need to perform DMAs– Develop dynamic work strategies – Plan and sequence proposed activities

Critical output from systematic planning meeting



Characterization CSM Stage Guides site characterization for remedial decision

making Updated as project data collection progresses

– Maintain consensus as site knowledge evolves– Facilitate stakeholder agreement that site is

characterized– Used to optimize project decision making

Identifies complete pathways and exposure points– Allows accurate calculation of cumulative risks/hazards

Supports technology evaluation and selection Goal = reduced site uncertainty for remedy design

– If site is not adequately characterized – don’t remediate!



Design CSM Stage Provides basis for design of selected remedy Supports collection of additional data to complete design

– Focus is on design basis data – not investigation data– Addresses data gaps, remedy alignment and scale– Optimization, IDRs, and VE concepts implemented earlier in

the process Supports long range remedy planning Used to optimized performance metric measurements Adequate to develop key support documents

– Solicitations for design and construction contract(s)– Statements of Objectives for performance-based contracts



Remediation/Mitigation CSM Stage Guide remediation/mitigation implementation

– Direct efforts and document progress– Manage phased (OU) efforts and/or combined remedies, respond

to changed conditions Maintain consensus as remediation/mitigation progresses Assess actual performance versus metrics

– Metrics provide “trigger points” for action to achieve short, medium, and long-term goals

Refine scale and identify focus areas Support optimization efforts

– Remedy components– Long-term monitoring



Post Remedy CSM Stage Documents attainment of remedial action

objectives Specific applications

– Supports site completion activities– Provides basis for using statistical methods for

remedy evaluation– Can be used to benchmark performance metrics for

triggering options in the record of decision (ROD)– Serves as platform for reducing system design after

long-term operations & maintenance (O&M)



Pathway-Receptor Network Diagrams P-RN Diagrams NOT CSMs – too simple to serve all CSM

functions However, they are a critical COMPONENT of CSMs

CSM should incorporate all actual and potential P-RNs Investigation efforts confirm or refute each element of P-RNs



Anatomy of a CSM

CSM

Potential Remedies

Geology and Hydrogeology

Previous Investigations

Description of Past Use

Exit Strategies

Decision CriteriaPathway-Receptor Networks

Intended Reuse



Past Use and Previous Investigations Past use should be used to evaluate:

– Contaminants of potential concern– Affected environmental media– Potential release mechanisms– Location of probable source areas– Timing of historical releases– Migration pathways– Potential receptors

Previous investigations are used to:– Estimate contaminant distributions– Evaluate potentially complete pathways– Consider new visualization platforms to maximize use of

existing information



Geology, Hydrology, and Hydrogeology

Understand and predict contaminant distributions Design future investigative activities Determine the applicability of methods and technologies



Example Depiction of Geology and Hydrogeology



Planned Reuse Can dictate decision criteria Used to focus sampling efforts

– CSM or sampling can also change reuse plans

Controls the cost of the remedy Nature of the remedy Public interest / property

values



Decision Criteria

Field-based decision criteria– DMA, correlation or non-parametric techniques

required

“Bright line” criteria– “Never to exceed” criteria - technically infeasible to

demonstrate with statistical confidence

Risk-based criteria Remediation goals



Potential Remedies Expectation to consider innovative

technologies? Understanding data necessary to evaluate

potential remedies



Supporting Remedial Needs Myth – Triad is for investigation only Fact – Triad can be applied to any project phase

– Highly-effective for use in filling data gaps Supports remedy selection and design process

– Ensures needed data are actually collected Avoids partial and full re-characterizations Reduces remediation performance optimization (RPO)

needs Focuses long-term monitoring (LTM) efforts on site

closure



Exit Strategy

Formal plan for taking the site from characterization to closure

Used to actively manage the site and make decisions– Collect data to evaluate remedies

– Optimize monitoring

– Optimize system components

Building consensus vision for an exit strategy



Triad Systematic Planning Results in… Sampling and Analysis Plans that incorporate…

Dynamic Work Strategies that are built on…

Real-Time Measurement Systems

More on these last two components later!