Standards Committee Strategic Work Plan

Transcription

1 Standards Committee Strategic Work Plan I. Introduction The Standards Committee (SC) Strategic Work Plan (Plan) is a continuation of the Strategic Plan in that it also reinforces the need for the body of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standard to achieve a steady-state and transition to an Enhanced Periodic Review (EPR) process for a more stable review of the steady-state Standards. The Plan further recognizes the possibility that consideration of emerging risks may result in the need for new Standards development projects over the time period. Lastly, the Plan identifies the task of developing a Standards metric, consistent with the request of the NERC Board of Trustees (Board) at the May 2015 Board meeting. II. Steady State In the recent past Strategic Plans and Reliability Standards Development Plans (RSPDs), steady-state has been defined as having reached a set of clear, concise, high quality and technically sound Reliability Standards which are results-based, while retiring requirements that do little to promote reliability. For some this definition is clear and workable, for others this definition needs enhancement to capture the intended view of steady-state. For example, while the quoted definition of steady-state does not so indicate, most would likely agree that reaching a steady-state of Reliability Standards means that the Standards process is focused exclusive on EPRs, and not new Standards or revising existing Standards, unless the EPR recommends revisions or there is a demonstrated and consensus-based need for revision or update. This latter, enhanced understanding of steady-state also includes the possibility of a new or revised Standard development to address an emerging risk as such risk is identified, for example, by an applicable governmental authority, the Reliability Issues Steering Committee (RISC) or NERC. One of the advantages of reaching and maintaining a steady-state is the ability of registered entities to focus on implementation of and compliance with the existing Standards, without the concern that the Standards are constantly being revised. It also recognizes that refinement of the steady-state Standards will occur during the EPR over a more measured time period. The RSDP indicates that there are outstanding Standards development projects that need to be completed in Reaching a steady-state requires completion of these projects. Thus, the transition to EPRs in 2016 shall be tempered by the understanding that 2016 will include the completion of these Standards projects.

2 III. Enhanced Periodic Review (EPR) As adopted by the SC in 2014 for implementation in 2016, all EPR projects involve the use of an EPR Template similar to the template that was successfully used during the periodic reviews. Each EPR Team shall be comprised of: a Standing Review Team, and a stakeholder Subject Matter Expert (SME) team, appointed consistent with Section 13 of the Standards Processes Manual. This chart helps illustrate the review team composition. Review Team Composition Non-CIP Standards Standing Review Team Chairs of the following NERC Standing Committees: 1 SC (Also, the SC chair or his/her delegate from the SC will chair the Standing ReviewTeam) 2 Planning Committee (PC) Operating Committee (OC) The Standing Review Team will meet with SMEs and help to ensure a consistent strategy and approach across all of the reviews. Plus Section 13 (SMEs): The SC will appoint stakeholder subject matter experts for the particular standard(s) being reviewed. The SMEs will work together with the Standing Review Team to conduct its review of the standard(s) and complete the template below. CIP Standards Chairs of the following NERC Standing Committees: 3 SC (Also, the SC chair or his/her delegate from the SC will chair the Standing Review Team) Critical Infrastructure Protection Committee (CIPC) The SC will appoint stakeholder SMEs for the particular standard(s) being reviewed. The SMEs will work together with the Standing Review Team to conduct its review of the standard(s) and complete the template below. 1 Each committee chair may, at his or her discretion, delegate participation on the Standing Review Team to another member of his or her committee. 2 The SC chair may delegate one member of the SC to chair one Standing Review Team s review of a standard(s), and another SC member to chair a review of another standard(s). 3 Each committee chair may, at his or her discretion, delegate participation on the Standing Review Team to another member of his or her committee Standards Committee Strategic Work Plan 2

3 With consideration of stakeholder comments, the EPR Team will indicate for each Standard it has reviewed, the following indicators: REAFFIRM (GREEN) REVISE - Indicate whether the revisions are necessary to support reliability (RED), or discretionary (YELLOW) (Would include revision of associated RSAW.) REVISE OR RETIRE (RED) (Would include revision of associated RSAW.) For those Red Standards, the EPR Team shall develop a Standards Authorization Request for consideration by the SC. The RSDP indicates that the following Standards and Standard families are eligible and ready for an EPR, with the understanding (as set forth below in the work plan activities) that the SC with the assistance of the Project Management Oversight Subcommittee (PMOS) and NERC Staff will consider the prioritization of these EPRs in the first quarter of 2016: BAL and INT families (BAL 001 and INT 004, INT 006, INT 009, and INT 010) EOP 001, EOP 002, and EOP 003 EOP 010 (as a one off) 4 FAC (as a one off) NUC (as a one off) PER 001, PER 003, and PER 004 PRC families VAR 001 and VAR 002 IV. Standards Metric The NERC Board of Trustees has requested that the SC develop a Standards metric to assist NERC to determine whether the body of Reliability Standards is achieving the desired behaviors and results. The SC, in conjunction with NERC Staff and the leadership of the OC, PC and CIPC, have begun work to develop such a metric that is additive to and not duplicative of the EPRs, and meaningful in-and-ofitself. 4 One off review is recommended when the Standard is not sufficiently related to a family of Standards to include in the review of multiple Standards at one time, or the timing of the Standard review suggests an earlier review of one Standard versus waiting for the family of Standards to be ripe for review, given the criteria used to determine when a Standard/Standard family is ripe for review Standards Committee Strategic Work Plan 3

4 V. Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles Vision A comprehensive body of steady-state Reliability Standards that collectively helps to achieve an adequate level of reliability and promote the reliable operation of the North American bulk power system. Mission For the SC to effectively manage and oversee the development of a comprehensive set of steady-state Reliability Standards that are aligned with NERC s strategic goals through open and inclusive processes and procedures. Guiding Principles Consistent with the RSDP, this Plan continues the work needed to attain a steady-state as soon as practicable and to transition to a more stable review of Standards under the EPR. Consensus needs to be achieved through stakeholder processes or measured indicators, with the understanding that emerging risks may result in the need for a new or revised Standard development. That the SC continues to promote and implement a collaborative working environment with the other NERC Standing Committees, NERC Standards staff, stakeholders and standard drafting teams. That the SC continues to execute the Standards development process for the effective and efficient use of NERC and industry resources. That the SC continues to promote and take a leadership role on consensus building activities. VI. Work Plan Task No. 1 Project Management and Prioritization of Existing Standard Projects PMOS and NERC Staff to present for SC endorsement, a project schedule to complete the existing Standard development projects as set forth in the RSDP. Completed by SC endorsement in its December 2015 meeting. Task No. 2 Implementation of Enhanced Periodic Review PMOS and NERC Staff to work together to present for SC endorsement, a prioritization and scheduling of 2016 EPRs. Complete by end of February Standards Committee Strategic Work Plan 4

5 Task No. 3 Standards Metric With the assistance of NERC Staff, the leadership of the OC, PC and the CIPC, the SC will develop a Standard metric and an associated Implementation Plan for Board endorsement. Complete by the May 2016 Board meeting. Task No. 4 Compliance Guidance Policy Work with the Compliance and Certification Committee (CCC) The following recommendations were presented at the November 2015 Member Representatives Committee (MRC) meeting by the Compliance Guidance Team that was formed by the MRC to consider approaches useful in providing guidance for implementing standards, and develop a policy proposal for the purpose, development, use, and maintenance of this guidance. The Compliance & Certification Committee (CCC) will lead, with Standards Committee (SC) support, a joint review of existing documents to submit for ERO Enterprise endorsement; An SC review of Section 11 of the Standard Processes Manual to determine whether revisions should be considered; The CCC and SC, with ERO Enterprise CMEP staff, conduct a joint review of measures and Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets; Complete first task by end of first quarter of 2016, second task by end of second quarter of 2016, and third task by end of third quarter of 2016, with the understanding that the first and third tasks are dependent on schedule of the CCC and NERC Staff. Task No. 5 Fourth Quarter Review of SC Strategic Work Plan The SC will conduct a review of its Strategic Work Plan. The SC Executive Committee shall evaluate the need for additional reforms or enhancements to the SC Charter. Complete by end of December Standards Committee Strategic Work Plan 5