Case Study
Digital Nuclear Procedures for America's Largest Clean Energy Producer
We helped a major Nuclear Energy Company transform decades of paper-based procedures into intelligent digital workflows, saving approximately one million work hours while maintaining the safety margins that nuclear operations demand.
~1M
HoursSaved
85%
Fewer CalculationErrors
8
Legacy SystemsConsolidated
The Challenge
Transforming Safety-Critical Operations
A major nuclear utility operating multiple power plants was digitizing decades of paper-based procedures. The goal: transform static documents into intelligent, interactive digital workflows that guide operators through complex tasks while maintaining the safety margins that nuclear operations demand.
Zero-ErrorTolerance
In nuclear environments, every design decision carries weight. The interfaces we create must prevent errors before they happen, not just catch them after.
RegulatoryComplexity
NRC and INPO regulations govern every aspect of nuclear operations. Digital systems must maintain compliance while improving efficiency.
LegacyIntegration
Eight different systems had evolved over decades. New digital tools needed to consolidate functionality while preserving institutional knowledge.
Our Approach
Error Prevention as a Design Principle
We approached nuclear UX with the humility it demands, listening first, designing second, and treating every interface element as a potential point of failure or protection.
PlantObservation
On-site research at operating plants. Understanding workflows in the actual environment where they'll be used.
ComplianceMapping
Deep analysis of NRC and INPO requirements. Ensuring every design decision meets regulatory standards.
ErrorPrevention
Designing interfaces where the right action is the easy action. Making mistakes hard, not just caught.
ContinuousResearch
POD research model with 20+ presentations. Embedded partnership for ongoing improvement.
The Work
A Digital Transformation Framework
We designed multiple interconnected systems that work together to support nuclear operations, from procedure execution to work planning to AI-powered automation.
SmartProcedures
Digital procedure execution system that guides operators through complex tasks with real-time validation, automatic documentation, and error prevention at every step.
Work PlanningInterface
Resource allocation and scheduling system that optimizes maintenance windows, tracks dependencies, and ensures coverage for safety-critical operations.
AI-PoweredAutomation
Machine learning systems that optimize workflows, predict maintenance needs, and automate routine decision-making while keeping humans in control.
ComplianceDashboard
Real-time visibility into regulatory compliance status, audit trails, and documentation requirements across all plant operations.
User Research
Understanding Work in Context
A leading nuclear power company was struggling with the challenge of digitizing its plants, specifically in work management. The company had a significant backlog of tasks that needed prioritization, and it needed a way to leverage its existing digital portfolio and identify potential areas of improvement. Despite having extensive work done by their digital team, the company was experiencing difficulty in identifying knowledge gaps and undocumented workflows that could be valuable for use cases.
Results
Measurable Impact on Operations
Digital transformation at nuclear scale requires patience and precision. The results speak to both efficiency gains and, more importantly, maintained and improved safety margins.
~1M
HoursSaved
85%
Fewer CalculationErrors
8
Legacy SystemsConsolidated
“They approached our environment with the right level of humility. They listened first, understood the stakes, and designed systems that make our operators more effective while maintaining the safety margins we demand. That's rare.”
Director of Digital Operations
Nuclear Operations
Capabilities Applied
Safety-Critical UX Expertise
Nuclear operations demand a different approach to design. We brought our industrial UX expertise together with deep regulatory knowledge to create interfaces that protect operators and improve efficiency simultaneously. Our embedded research partnership ensures that design decisions are grounded in real operational context, not assumptions made in conference rooms.
Services Applied
- →Field Research
- →User Research & Ethnography
Ready to digitize your operations?
Let's discuss how safety-critical UX can transform your procedures while maintaining compliance.