Introduction

ARC Advisory Group is conducting this short and simple survey to allow you to Benchmark your Operator Training Simulation Program compared with your peers. This survey should help you to take an introspective view of where you are and where you need to go with your Operator Training Simulation Program technology and your digital transformation.
 
Privacy: Your privacy is assured, and your identity will not be released to others. Your responses and the responses of your peers will be included in the report you will receive for taking this survey.  If you have questions about the survey, please contact us at https://www.arcweb.com/about/contact-us 

Rate your simulation based operator training program as follows:

Best In Class: My company is doing this at a very high level, likely among the leaders

Proficient: My company is becoming proficient in this and continues to expand

Significant: My company is using this in a significant way

Limited: My company is using this, but in a limited way or early days

Exploring:  My company is researching, investigating, or considering this

None or N/A:  My company is not doing this now or it is not applicable

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* 1. Fidelity of the Process Model - First Principal Heat and Material balance models that are validated to the running process for both steady state and dynamic responses would be the top rating. All essential process equipment under operator control is simulated.

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* 2. Fidelity of the Control System Simulation - The actual control room environment with consoles, cabinets, control panels, and operating personnel is an accurate representation of the plant control system and  control room environment. The top of the scale would be to have a replica control system in a full scope simulated control room the same size and layout as the actual control room. Control simulation includes all special consoles, alarm panels, communications equipment, local control panels and any other control interfaces such as local or field mounted control panels.

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* 3. Field Operator and Maintenance training - The top of the scale would be to maximize the use of the training simulator to train field operators, maintenance staff, engineers, or other interested parties. This may involve running simulations and exercises in the actual plant or using an accurate virtual simulation of the plant simultaneous with the console operator manipulating a Process and Control system simulation using the same push to talk or other communication devices used in normal operations. Abnormal situations like startups, shutdowns, load changes, weather events, upsets of all type, fires, flaring, explosions, pressure valve release, compressor surge, pump cavitation, sampling, leaks, environmental releases, power failures, control system failures, loss of steam, loss of instrument air, loss of cooling water, distillation flooding, contamination, instrument calibration, equipment damage, catalyst deactivation, intruders (human or animals), hot work permits, maintenance situations are included in the training program. Periodic simulated man down training with actual ambulance, fire truck and rescue for exposure, heart attack, stroke, etc. Score higher if using an integrated digital twin model of the plant as part of an augmented reality applications that can speed instrument calibration, work orders, control system or process equipment maintenance.

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* 4. Training program accredited by industry peers - Top of the scale if the training program for both console and field operations has been formally reviewed and approved by industry peers. These peers would periodically monitor the training program to insure it continues to use best practices.

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* 5. Scenario's are part of training -  Training program for abnormal situations covers a broad spectrum of situations with pass/fail criteria for console and field operators. The scenarios include the items described in the field operator training program (above). Simulation of cyber attack on the plant network or control system would be bonus. A top rated training program would include scenarios of all written operator procedures.

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* 6. Which of the following best describes the principal industry of your organization?

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* 7. What is your Region?

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* 8. Is your company a Supplier of Technology or Services, or an End User of Technology or Services?

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* 9. Please provide the following

Thank you for contributing to this survey.  

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* 10. Please provide your email, so we can assure you will receive the results

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