Summary of NCSX SIT Meeting of Monday, May 19, 2003

1. Project Control Issues

Poor (and getting worse) cost and schedule performance as reflected in monthly status reports are a growing concern. Estimates at completion (EACs) and monthly status meetings with WBS managers are required.

Review of updated WBS 8 estimate will be May 20 at 9:00.

2. PDR re-scheduling (Wayne)

- A critical path schedule for the PDR was presented. The schedule is driven by the keystoning issue, which has become critical due to the failure of the four-cable conductor as a solution. Tests are delayed until new single-cable conductor arrives, which will not be until the end of June. Some single-cable conductor suitable for testing may be available at ORNL or UT. It will be shipped to PPPL.

ACTION: Brad.

- The schedule projects the PDR  as being in mid-October. Taking into account the dates for the SOFE and APS-DPP conferences and the ORNL Fusion Energy Division move from Y-12 to ORNL, the project will recommend that the PDR be held the week of Oct. 20.

ACTION: Hutch/Wayne present to PPPL management.

3. Critical Technical Issues

- Modular coil design: optimization of the winding pack twist and inner shell surface geometry has been completed. Task now is getting the "wings" to work properly and incorporating details. Schedule projections are still uncertain but the design may be ready for a prototype FDR the week of June 2.

- Keystoning: the critical path to the PDR.

- Conductor properties and allowables data: not on the critical path, but close. First deliverables from CTD expected mid-June, tests completed about mid-July.

- Physics assessment of E04 coils: PIES runs with optimized modular and TF coil currents are in progress. They look promising but too soon to be conclusive.

ACTION: Mike continue to follow up.

- Electropolishing (John).  VV suppliers will estimate costs. Benefits still need to be clarified.

- Garnet blasting to clean the winding forms. Can we provide relief on our requirement that fresh garnet be used for each part?  The SIT decided yes. No one knows where this came from.

4. Cost

The project needs to take deliberate measures to keep the cost from rising. The following measures are planned:

- Internal reviews of updated cost estimates for each work package. Already in progress.

- Early identification of potential scope reductions in case they become necessary. Minimum ("threshold") scope and objective scope will be documented in the PEP. ACTION: Hutch, Bob.

- Value Engineering activity, led by Mike Zarnstorff. Can we find cheaper ways to deliver the same value?

ACTION: Hutch, Mike define activity and team members.

5. Next SIT Meeting:  Tuesday, May 27, 2003.

Summary by:

Hutch Neilson