SBA 8(A) / SDB VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS

Problem Solving Strategies

Fundamentals of Causal Analysis for Solving Problems and Preventing Recurring Events
WHITE PAPER

Corporate Office
4634 SW Long Bay Drive Palm City, FL 34990 (772)341-1093 - Phone (866)271-5199 - Fax rob.dle@dle-services.com www.dle-services.com

Prepared:

October 10, 2011

INTRODUCTION
The information contained in this white paper describes the Problem Solving strategies that DLE Technical Services has developed and used successfully at commercial nuclear power plants and government facilities to improve individual and organizational performance. In our experience, problem solving skills are a common weakness in individuals and organizations critical thinking skills. The DLE Technical Services approach to teaching problem solving and causal analysis described in this document has been developed and refined from over 20 years of practical application. The underlying principle behind our approach is that employees should not have to reach for computers, workbooks or proprietary software to apply problem solving tools and techniques to determine the underlying causes of problems, from the simplest of issues to determining the root causes of more complex problems. We focus on the fundamentals behind causal analysis, not on selling a proprietary method such as TapRooT, Management Oversight Risk Tree (MORT), Kepner-Tregoe, the Phoenix Method and others, which in many cases require expensive proprietary software and training on how to use it. Understanding the fundamentals of causal analysis, along with learning easy-to-use but powerful problem solving tools and techniques such as barrier analysis, cause and effect analysis and fault tree analysis, will help create an excellent problem solving organization that does not waste time and money addressing the same problems year after year. Effective problem solving skills will significantly reduce the rate of repeat human performance problems, equipment problems and programmatic & organizational events. The net results include reduced operating costs, increased productivity and improved morale. DLE Technical Services has taught Causal Analysis Fundamentals at commercial nuclear power plants, the Department of Energys (DOE) Yucca Mountain project, the DOE Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Paducah, KY, and the DOE Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Facilities in Paducah and Portsmouth, OH. In 2010, DLE Technical Services was contracted by the Entergy Nuclear Division to prepare a four-day class on problem solving to be used at their fleet of nuclear plants. In 2011 Entergy requested two additional training modules to further enhance their Root Cause training program. The material that follows is condensed from over 500 training slides and provides merely a glimpse of our course content. The course can be customized from a one-day fundamentals class, to a 2 or 4-day causal analysis course. We look forward to working with prime contractors and government agencies in bringing these valuable skills to their workforce, particularly those employees working in complex, technical environments.

Rob De La Espriella
President, DLE Technical Services, LLC

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Company Data
Company Name: Principal: Contact Information: DLE Technical Services, LLC Rob De La Espriella 4634 SW Long Bay Drive Palm City, FL 34990 (772) 341-1093 Office (866) 271-5199 Fax www.dle-services.com SBA 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business Veteran Owned Small Business Minority Owned Business Size Standard <$4mm 41-2194259 March 1, 2006 623686834 4D0A4 Frank Velasco
Business Opportunity Specialist Small Business Administration South Florida District Office 100 So. Biscayne Blvd, 7th Floor Miami, Florida 33131 Phone: (305) 536-5521 ext. 122 Fax: (202) 481-1970 E-mail: frank.velasco@sba.gov

Small Business Status:

Federal Tax ID Number: Established: DUNS Number: Cage Code: SBA Contact:

Primary NAICS Code: NAICS Codes:

541611 541330 541612 541618 541690 541990 541930 561210 611430 541511 541512 541620

Administrative and General Management Consulting Engineering Services Human Resources Consulting Services Other Management Consulting Services Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Translation and Interpretation Services Government Base Facilities Support Services Professional and Management Training Custom Computer Programming Services Computer Systems Design Services Environmental Consulting Services

Extended NAICS Codes:

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WHY DLE Technical Services?

Who We Are: DLE Technical Services is a full-service project management company with expert organizational development strategies for diagnosing and addressing latent organizational weaknesses.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to assist our clients in gaining a competitive advantage through cost effective solutions that drive Breakthrough Performance and Cultural Transformations.

Our Core Values:

We focus on the client We are passionate about our work We move with speed and flexibility We are creative and innovative We care about our employees We trust and respect our clients and each other "DLE Technical Services and its subsidiaries will be regarded as the best and most sought-after Project Managers and Organizational Development experts in the federal procurement system.

Our Vision:

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