We ask Ron:
How do focus and stress management enhance problem-solving?
Ron's Response:
In high-pressure situations, even the best technical knowledge is of little use without focus and the ability to manage stress effectively. Simulation training helps operators develop these essential...
We ask Ron:
What role does experience play in effective problem-solving?
Ron's Response:
Pattern recognition and tacit knowledge—the instincts gained through experience—are indispensable for problem-solving. But how do you cultivate these skills in a controlled environment?...
We ask Ron:
How does curiosity drive a problem-solving mindset?
Ron's Response:
Curiosity is the cornerstone of a problem-solving mindset. It’s about asking “why” at every opportunity—not just when something goes wrong but to understand the deeper principles at...
We ask Ron:
How can simulation training cultivate a problem-solving mindset?
Ron's Response:
To answer this question let us approach this from three different perspectives. There are three powerful perspectives that form the foundation of this mindset:
- Curiosity and Openness to...
We ask Ron:
How can simulators be used to train operations and test Anti-Surge controllers to prevent surge conditions in centrifugal compressors?
Ron's Response:
Let us first look at a definition from Kumar Dey “Centrifugal compressor surge is a characteristic behavior of the...
We ask Ron:
How can simulation training improve operations' responsiveness to changing conditions in a dynamic environment?
Ron's Response:
Whenever an incident occurs the investigators freeze time and slowly break down the sequence of events—viewing it from all perspectives. If...
We ask Ron:
How does stress impact decision-making, and how can training help mitigate the physiological effects of stress?
Ron's Response:
In the last pod we discussed how stress can impact performance and what are some of the physiological responses to stress.
In her book, ...
We ask Ron:
How can stress affect decision making and how training will reduce the physiological responses?
Ron's Response:
Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger was quoted as saying that the moments before the emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 were "the worst...
We ask Ron:
Why do we need to justify the investment in developing and maintaining successful training programs?
Ron's Response:
Developing a simulator program involves a financial commitment and resources to be successful. This continues after the initial installation of the facility....
We ask Aaron:
You’ve mentioned the desire to avoid “replacement in kind” and to deliver ROI a couple of times. It’s not intuitive where that return would come from on a DCS replacement project – where is the value? What’s the role for simulation there?
We ask Ron:
Why is it important to understand the relationship and interaction between the human and machine for training?
Ron's Response:
Several years ago, Gary Klein and Joseph Borders completed a study of operators’ mental models that involved watching how they navigated...
We ask Aaron:
How has dynamic simulation changed the way you approach control system upgrades?
Aaron's Response:
Fundamentally, I think this is a two-way street. The way that simulation has changed the way I approach system modernization projects has shifted almost hand-in-hand with the...
We ask Ron:
What are some key components of maintaining a successful simulator training program?
Ron's Response:
Unfortunately, far too many simulators have become dust collectors after their initial installation. They may have been developed for the initial startup of a facility and...
We ask Aaron:
What is the role of dynamic simulation in control system modernization?
Aaron's Response:
In control system modernization projects – that is, brownfield projects designed to replace and improve the automation systems in plants – the focus is on risk....
We ask Ron:
Why is the selection and development of training scenarios key to a successful program?
Ron's Response:
There are a few areas to focus on when developing simulator scenarios.
- The development of process knowledge, i.e. Distillation, heat exchange, chemical reactions....
We ask Ron:
What are critical decisions and why is it important to make them where there is limited time to respond?
Ron's Response:
Critical decisions include situations that could include a loss of containment and prompt isolation of the process is required, or when equipment fails and quick...
We ask Ron:
What unique challenges do the different types of procedures present when building a training program?
Ron's Response:
Often times this distinction is not highlighted as each type of procedure presents unique challenges. Yes, there are at least 4 main types of procedures which are...
We ask Ron:
Why is training on procedures important to a training program?
Ron's Response:
There are benefits and challenges with procedures. Procedures are an essential part of the safe and efficient operation of our process. The best way to highlight these are in a few bullet points. The...
We ask Ron:
Why is it important to consider the people during the simulator training?
Ron's Response:
It is easy to be critical during simulator training because of the complexity of our processes and the fact there is so much going on. Remember to acknowledge when something is noticed or...
We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the training of process upsets (Malfunctions/Failures)?
Ron's Response:
Depending on the complexity of your process it can be impossible to write a procedure of every upset. If this was accomplished, could you find the right one in time. Another...
We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the development and training of Emergency Procedures?
Ron's Response:
Freeze up is an unfortunate response to becoming overwhelmed. Reading through a procedure is a different experience than a major event or plant shutdown when the alarm page is...
We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the development and training of process startup?
Ron's Response:
Process startups can be very challenging as there can be several systems coming online at the same time. This can be very challenging to cover in a step-by-step procedure when...
We ask Ron:
When implementing a simulator training program what is Preparation?
Ron's Response:
Although there may be many ways to approach simulator training, I will discuss the approach I use and why. This approach may have to be adapted depending on the schedules and availability of the...
We ask Ron:
How does dynamic simulation fit into the development of an effective training program?
Ron's Response:
Most programs to train and qualify panel operators start the same way. The trainee will read all the associated manuals which are usually followed by some written or electronic...
