ISIS Instrument Support Group Erik Johnson - How do we manage the competing priorities and manage resources during an ISIS Long Shutdown

Sep 12, 2026

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A structured approach for managing competing priorities and allocating resources during an ISIS Long Shutdown is presented, focusing on planning, communication, and operational feasibility. It outlines key objectives, the instrument planning considerations of constraints and “known/known unknowns,” and an instrument job identification process that collates, prioritises, and communicates tasks. A Rock-Pebble-Sand prioritisation method balances highest-priority items with probable resource clashes and low-likelihood conflicts, supported by space management and ongoing plan execution.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Planning timeline and context

Key objectives and staffing/resources

Instrument jobs and task identification

ISIS project types and job/task list workflow

Planning considerations and constraints

Crane and electrical installation availability

Key questions for all projects

Prioritisation method: Rock Pebble Sand Approach

Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand examples

Planning and space management

Shielding removal, materials, storage, and exceptions

Executing the plan

Communication and keeping accelerator/target priority

High-resolution timing and understanding

How do we manage the competing priorities and manage resources during an ISIS Long Shutdown? ISIS Instrument Support Group Erik Johnson ISIS Long Shutdown 2022 􀂃 Planning meetings started 2016 for delivery in ~August 2020 􀂃 Actual start July 2021 􀂃 TS1 Start up planned for Nov 2022 􀂃 TS2 Start-up Feb 2022 􀂃 Key objectives of the shutdown 􀂃 TS1 target upgrade 􀂃 LINAC Tank 4 􀂃 Instruments key objectives 􀂃 Carry out key instrument projects 􀂃 Deal with as many snag and troubles as possible 􀂃 Ensure all instruments can start up and function productively 􀂃 To carry out Instrument Plan: 􀂃 Approx 75 FTE Engineering, Technician and Support staff 􀂃 Approx cost of £4 million 􀂃 Doesn’t include design effort Instrument Jobs – identifying what needs to be done 􀂃 Generate Job/Task list appears in a number of ways 􀂃 ISIS defined Project 􀂃 Estates and Building Projects (Conventional facilities) 􀂃 Breakdown and Maintenance tasks 􀂃 Rumour, speculation and random event… 􀂃 Job/Task list 􀂃 Collate 􀂃 Prioritise 􀂃 Communicate… 􀂃 The key aims at this point: 􀂃 Get people thinking and talking 􀂃 Flush out all jobs ISIS Instrument Planning Considerations 􀂃 Constraints 􀂃 Knowns 􀂃 Known Unknowns 􀂃 Conclusion of biggest causes of clash for resource 􀂃 Crane availability in R55 (Target Station 1) 􀂃 Availability of Electrical Installation effort 􀂃 Key questions need to be asked of all Projects: 􀂃 Do you have a plan? 􀂃 Does it include key elements 􀂃 Project Manager, Installation Manager, Mechanical and Electrical designs, procurement plan, waste management, estimate of resources needed (crane, electrical effort) Prioritisation 􀂃 Collaboration between Science, Engineering and Operations demands 􀂃 What keeps our facility moving forward with development 􀂃 Ensures we are compliant with the law 􀂃 Is it feasible to deliver? 􀂃 Rock Pebble Sand Approach 􀂃 Rocks (Highest priority – no matter what resources needed) 􀂃 Fixed Installation Testing, RIKEN upgrade, SANDALS Beamline upgrade, ALFRED beamline upgrade*, SANS2D new drives for moving guides 􀂃 Pebbles (likely clashes due to resource use) 􀂃 Examples: HRPD Detector upgrade, HRPD Chopper timing Cable installation, ~~SURF beamline upgrade, ~~EC slits 􀂃 Sand (clashes unlikely) 􀂃 Examples: Chopper maintenance across all beamlines, Motion and jaws maintenance across all beamlines, Beamline COSHH extract upgrades, Interlock testing Planning 􀂃 Fair simple process 􀂃 Include resources 􀂃 Start with High Priorities 􀂃 Don’t forget to plan the use of space! Space Management 􀂃 Space Planning needs to include: 􀂃 Shielding being removed 􀂃 Materials coming to site 􀂃 Type of storage needed 􀂃 What other projects will effect the space 􀂃 Example 􀂃 PV panels on R80 The exceptions… 􀂃 CHIPIR – large scale project to tackle the fact the primary shutter not working as it should. 􀂃 No plan or design 􀂃 Moved into the shutdown – Not without risk 􀂃 Treated as a Rock 􀂃 As dismantling the beamline the plans and designs were being pulled together 􀂃 Delivered just in time… You have a plan – now what? 􀂃 Outline of a plan 􀂃 Some projects not fully developed 􀂃 Now: 􀂃 Communicate the plan 􀂃 Make clear what is needed 􀂃 Refine 􀂃 Prepare for change 􀂃 Optimism and pessimism bias 􀂃 Projects outside of control 􀂃 Delays in TS1 mean Long shutdown delayed 􀂃 Make use of time 􀂃 Changes to their resource profile 􀂃 Procurement and parts 􀂃 Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Running the plan 􀂃 Accelerator and Target always takes priority 􀂃 Is detailed planning needed? 􀂃 Ensure understanding: 􀂃 Overall structure of each project 􀂃 Communication preferences and ability to understand plans 􀂃 When is high resolution important?

FAQs

What are the key objectives of the ISIS Long Shutdown described in the document?

The document emphasizes upgrading key targets and instrument objectives, carrying out key instrument projects, handling snag and trouble remediation, and ensuring all instruments can start up and function productively.

How does the document recommend identifying and managing instrument jobs and tasks?

It describes generating and collating a job/task list through multiple appearances, then focusing on tasks such as prioritising and communicating, aligned with how ISIS defines projects and categories.

What prioritisation framework is used when resources may clash?

The Rock Pebble Sand approach is used: Rocks are highest priority regardless of resources, Pebbles are likely clashes due to resource use, and Sand items are expected to have minimal clashes.

What space management elements must be included in planning?

Space planning should include shielding removal, materials arriving on site, storage type requirements, and how other projects will affect the space, with specific examples provided such as PV panels on R80.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Fahsai