FEATURE
THE CONSULTANT’S SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ROLE IN SYSTEM COMMISSIONING BY KRISTIAN NIELSEN
T
here’s no shortage of industry secrets in this tight lipped industry. Even today the world at large is only now beginning to take notice of the niche of submarine fiber telecoms. In an effort to shed light on the importance of every aspect of system development, this article outlines the process of developers working with Subject Matter Expert (SME) consultants for the commissioning and acceptance of a new system build.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The SME will travel to and witness network system tests, validating the installation, and provide a “findings” report to include performance verification and any resulting discrepancies requiring Supplier rectification. They will provide a System Acceptance Report for the system, identifying
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close-out issues accomplished by Supplier to the satisfaction of Client. If desired by Client, The SME will accomplish a Follow-Up System Report approximately six months after the system has been turned over to Operations.
REVIEW SYSTEM TEST PLANS AND PROCEDURES
The purpose of the Commissioning System Test Plans and Procedures Report Review is to identify any deficiencies discovered by the SME within the system commissioning and acceptance plans and procedures, and system handbooks of the Client’s submarine fiber optic cable system. The SME will attend a teleconference briefing meeting with Client. This meeting may be combined with the FAT briefing meeting. At this briefing meeting the detailed responsibilities of the SME and the schedule of his ac-