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8.2.
Systematic Planning of BWTS Tests
The MERC planning process (Figure 2) will establish the BWTS test details, including:
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goals, data quality objectives, and data quality indicators;
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project schedule, resource needs, milestones, and requirements;
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type and quantity of data needed and how the data will be used to support the data quality
objectives;
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data quality performance criteria;
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QA/QC activities to assess the quality performance criteria;
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data collection methods and logistics;
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data analysis and evaluation procedures.
8.2.1.
Technical and Quality Goals
The purpose of MERC testing is to evaluate the performance of BWTS. MERC customers require
reliable and objective analytical data. These data must have:
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a justifiable approach to selecting analytical procedures and detection limits;
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adequate detection limits and uncertainties;
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well documented QA/QC and analytical procedures;
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document control and accountability;
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adherence to standard protocols and procedures;
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cost-effective testing which provides efficient and timely results.
8.2.2.
Cost and Schedule Requirements
The MERC Director, in coordination with test participants, determines cost and schedule requirements
relative to technical goals. MERC utilizes the Critical Path Method for test scheduling and control. A
project network is constructed, which shows the interrelationships between project activities, establishes
the sequence of events, and provides the timelines that these activities and events are to be performed. It
identifies the starting and completion time of each activity and establishes how and when available
resources are to be allocated among test participants.
8.2.3.
Data Specifications
8.2.3.1.
Data Quality Objectives
The design process for BWTS testing establishes the test data quality objectives (DQOs). These ensure
that the collected data are of sufficient type, quality, and quantity to answer the study questions (typically
expressed relative to the ability to estimate an unknown parameter within specified bounds or make a
correct decision within a certain degree of confidence).
Once the DQOs are established, the experimental design will be developed. The QAPP will define the test
to be conducted, the baseline parameters, the number of replicate tests, and the controls.