What is an EPSS (Electronic Performance Support System) and How Do Two Utilities Use It?
2003 Presented at the WUTAB conference
Erica Finley, Manager of Training Development Services, Performance Consulting Services, Inc.
Roger Bollinger, Kansas City Power & Light
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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to define the Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS) and discuss how two different utilities use their EPSSs.

Two utility EPSSs will be discussed, Kansas City Power and Light's Hawthorn Station fuel yard and Xcel Energy's Black Dog Station.

Definition:

An EPSS is a web based content management system for:

• Providing storage and delivery of plant reference materials including:
  • Training documents
  • Operating procedures
  • Historical maintenance information
• Improving plant performance through knowledge transfer
• Storing knowledge captured from seasoned employees
• Providing procedure management

By using an EPSS, employees will receive the basic and additional support required during their everyday tasks. The EPSS may be used as a training tool for new staff members, or a quick reference library for experienced personnel. The EPSS provides information to the user including information on plant systems and delivers plant procedures to the people that need them. Combining digital photos, video, animation and sound is a powerful tool when attempting to stimulate a learner. All of these can be incorporated into the EPSS.

The EPSS goal is to improve human performance by providing staff with the tools they need to perform their jobs in a safe, efficient manner, which in turn, improves plant performance.

Topics covered in this paper will include:

1. What is an EPSS?
2. KCPL EPSS?
3. Xcel Energy EPSS?
4. What are the benefits of an EPSS?
5. Why add an EPSS to your toolbox?
6. How does it work?
7. How to startup an EPSS at your facility?

The EPSS consists of a robust database (i.e. Oracle) accessed via your company Intranet or the Web. The database can be stored on your company's web server and navigated using a web browser.

The Web based EPSS (Electronic Performance Support System) can be used for a variety of different applications including training material storage and content management and delivery of training materials. By offering your personnel training materials at their desktop you will gain performance efficiency from each employee that encounters the EPSS, in turn, increasing overall plant efficiency.

Training materials can be stored in the EPSS for every day use. What training could be more convenient than the training you can access every day right from your desktop? Or, if your company allows it, you can access the training materials from home via the Web. Plant training materials are created from many different types of documents including operating procedures, vendor manuals and wisdom from seasoned employees. The EPSS provides a means to combine all of these sources and display the information in a usable format for the learner. In addition, the EPSS can be used not only for someone in training but also for housing the work references that plant personnel use on a daily basis.

The EPSS provides a means of tracking the training progress of employees as well as testing employees over knowledge gained.

In addition to training, operations personnel will find the EPSS useful since they can quickly locate the operating procedures they need and print them out for use in the field. Maintenance personnel will find the EPSS helpful since they can quickly find past outage history to help them in their predictive maintenance endeavors. The EPSS is a great location to store the "on the job" knowledge gained by seasoned employees over many years. With the high turnover in the industry, you really can't wait any longer to make sure you are protecting your "knowledge assets." Now is the time to start preparing for the future with an EPSS.
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What is an EPSS (Electronic Performance Support System) and Why Does My Company Need one?
2001 Presented at the WUTAB conference
Erica Finley, Manager of Training Development Services, Performance Consulting Services, Inc.
Download

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the value in having an Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS).

By using an EPSS, employees will receive the additional support often required during their everyday tasks. The EPSS may be used as a training tool for new staff members, or a quick reference library for experienced personnel. The EPSS provides information to the user including information on plant systems and it delivers plant procedures to the people that need them. Combining digital photos, video, animation and sound is a powerful tool when attempting to stimulate a learner, all of these can be incorporated into the EPSS.

The EPSS goal is to improve human performance by providing staff with the tools they need to perform their jobs in a safe, efficient manner, which in turn, improves plant performance.

Topics covered in this paper will include:

1. What is an EPSS?
2. What are the benefits of an EPSS?
3. How does it work?
4. How to startup an EPSS?

The EPSS consists of a robust database (ie Oracle) accessed via your company Intranet. The database can be stored on your company's web server and browsed using a web browser.

Performance Consulting Services produced a feasibility case study for the EPRI Simulator & Training Center outlining the benefits of an EPSS. The successful study included an EPSS implementation at Xcel Energy's (formerly Northern States Power) Black Dog station.