SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

ERDC TN-DOER-I4

August 2000

included project managers, contract administrators, planners, estimators, dredging inspectors, and

engineers. These interviews provided a wide range of perspectives concerning the applicability of

the HPD Silent Inspector concept, and specific data needs for the interviewee's respective job

responsibilities. Their replies reflected the differences between Districts in regard to: the types of

dredges and dredging contracts they use, total volumes dredged, environmental considerations,

history of contract claims, and inspector personnel levels. The Corps personnel who expressed a

need for an HPD automated monitoring system identified the three specific objectives discussed

earlier.

The dredge's performance relative to historical and theoretical limits is an important aspect of

contract management, especially for contracts that reward increased performance. Data acquired

by the SI system will be used to improve both the historical database of dredge performance and

the tools for predicting dredge performance. Reports produced by the system will allow Corps

dredging managers to compare current dredge performance to predicted and historical values.

Because the SI will facilitate automatic incorporation of data and data products, records and progress

reports will become more comprehensive and will be better tools for planners and contract

administrators to use in planning and allocating resources for future work.

SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS: The following section lists and discusses the specific attributes

and capabilities that are desirable in the HPDSI. They are similar to those developed for the Silent

Inspector hopper dredge system (Beeman 1990), but include modifications to account for a) the

differing needs expressed by various Districts for HPD inspection, and b) the dredge's mechanical

and operational differences.

Provide Standardized Information. Standardized data requirements along with standardized

reporting formats are needed to maximize the usefulness of the HPDSI. For example, such

standardization will:

Make it easier for one District to use dredging histories from projects outside the District

when estimating their own costs for new work.

Allow contractors to move between Districts with the knowledge that they are properly

equipped.

Allow Districts to use standard or "guide" specifications when specifying information

requirements in contract documents with the knowledge that the contractor dredge has the

means to conform to the Corps' requirements.

An example of successful District cooperation to standardize inspection requirements is the safety

regulations contained in Engineer Manual 385-1-1 (Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

1996).

Each District may have somewhat different information requirements, depending on such things as

a) that District's specific business practices, b) the type of dredging to be conducted (confined

disposal area, contaminated, etc.), and/or c) the type of dredging contract. Although the same

requirements could be established across-the-board for all HPD's, the cost of the monitoring system

"could quickly exceed the value of the dredge(s) which would not be a cost-effective solution"