Design Assurance Process

The Design Assurance (DA) process is a formal, systematic process that augments the design effort and increases the probability of product design conformance to requirements and project needs. DA independently assesses the development of engineering drawings / models / analyses and specifications necessary to physically and functionally describe the intended product, as well as all engineering documentation required to support the procurement, manufacture, test, delivery, use and maintenance of the product.

DA is comprised of independent assessments used to identify possible design escapes as early as possible in the design life cycle and is a tool for determining the adequacy and efficacy of engineering design processes and products. DA increases the likelihood that the design meets or exceeds customers’ expectations in function and performance. While DA incorporates an independent element into the program, DA is meant to provide additional assistance and not be a hindrance. The reach back and experiences of the DA team are greater than those available to any single program. The DA team should work with the program to make use of those resources to ensure program success.

Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) guidance in relation to DA can be found in document NS-TAST-GD-057 with further guidance available on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website https://www.iaea.org/publications.

Additional Information & Guidance

• ONR, NS-TAST-GD-057, Design Safety Assurance, November 2017.
• https://www.iaea.org/publications