Basic HTML Version
ACT Protocols for Wave Measurement Systems
July 2012
4
their performance; does not label or list technologies as acceptable or unacceptable; and does not
seek to determine “best available technology” in any form. ACT will avoid all potential
pathways to picking “winners and losers”. Therefore, although the following protocols will
apply to all instruments evaluated, no direct comparisons will be made between instruments from
different manufacturers and instrument-specific Verification Statements will be released to the
public for each instrument type as a final report.
3.0 Roles and Responsibilities of Involved Organizations
The verification test would be coordinated and supervised by the ACT Chief Scientist and ACT
Partner Institution personnel. Staff from the Partner Institutions participate in this test by
installing, maintaining, and operating the respective technologies throughout the test; operating
the reference equipment, downloading the data from the instrument package, and informing the
ACT Chief Scientist staff of any problems encountered. Manufacturer representatives shall train
ACT Partner staff in the use of their respective technologies and, at their discretion, observe the
calibration, installation, maintenance, and operation of their respective technologies throughout
the test. QA oversight is provided by the ACT Quality Manager. The
Coastal Data Information
Program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (CDIP/SIO), NDBC, and JCOMM will
collaborate in different aspects of the Test and Evaluation.
In addition to aiding the development
of these protocols, the ACT Wave Measurement System Technical Advisory Committee will be
consulted during the evaluation in the event problems occur, will assist in the analyses of results,
and will review the final Verification Statement prior to release. Specific responsibilities are
detailed below.
3.1 ACT Chief Scientist
The ACT Chief Scientist has the overall responsibility for ensuring that the technical goals and
schedule established for the verification test are met. The ACT Chief Scientist shall:
• Prepare the draft test/QA plan and verification statements;
• Revise the draft test/QA plan and verification statements in response to reviewers’ comments;
• Coordinate distribution of the final test/QA plan and verification statements;
• Coordinate testing, measurement parameters, and schedules at each ACT Wave Test and
Evaluation testing site;
• Ensure that all quality procedures specified in the test/QA plan are followed;
• Respond to any issues raised in assessment reports and audits, including instituting corrective
action as necessary;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for manufacturers and ACT Partner Technical
Coordinators;
• Ensure that confidentiality of proprietary manufacturer technology and information is
maintained.
3.2 ACT Quality Manager
ACT Quality Manager for the verification test shall:
• Review the draft test/QA plan.
• Conduct a technical systems audit (TSA) once during the verification test.