The IAEA closely monitors the OSART programme in an effort to increase its usefulness and effectiveness, incorporating new features and deleting outdated ones. The feedback of experience takes place in various ways. At the end of each mission, the OSART team members complete questionnaires that provide feedback on the OSART process, including proposals for improvement. Similarly, the nuclear power plants and utilities are asked to comment on each OSART mission in general.
Consultants services and Technical Committee Meetings were held in 1988, 1990 1992, 1993 and 1994 to review aspects of the OSART programme. As a result, improvements to the service have been made, in particular regarding the mutual co-operation between the OSART organization and the nuclear power plant, as well as between the OSART experts and their plant counterparts. Future developments will include reviewing the structure of operational safety reviews in view of the Nuclear Safety Convention and, improving team training and reinforcing the concept of basing findings on actual plant performance, rather than on existance of programmes.
In order for the OSART programme to enhance the international exchange of operating experience at the managerial and working level, the active participation of all countries with operating nuclear power plants is essential. In addition to requesting nuclear power plants to provide experts to participate in OSART missions, the IAEA will promptly respond to requests for OSART missions.