Systemic Compliance is open for business! We’re here to help pipeline operators and their contractors discover a better approach to Operator Qualification (OQ). We think it can be done better. We think it can be done in a smarter way. We think it can be done more cost effectively. We think there is a better approach than what we’ve evolved to. Our goal is to help the industry get there! We think this new approach should be designed to address several issues:
- We’ve worked so hard to simplify OQ compliance, we’ve increased our liability and risk – significantly.
- Historically, we’ve dealt with prescriptive regulations. The OQ Rule marked a shift in the nature of regulations – it helped us move to performance-based regulations. Today, we’re facing another shift in the nature of regulations – we are moving toward management system- type regulations. We’re not managing OQ (or compliance efforts in general) accordingly.
- 3rd Party Service Providers may not be working in the operator’s best interest.
- Our approach to determining “equivalency” of qualifications put in place through other processes is flawed.
- Cost is EXCESSIVE!
- We generally don’t know if we’re getting better as we go.
Systemic Compliance was founded by, and is led by, Kevin Graham – the founder of Veriforce and a participant in the OQ arena since it’s very beginning. For more than 25 years, Kevin has been involved in OQ, has seen the good and the bad, and now looks forward to applying the things he’s seen and learned to help build a better way. Today, Systemic Compliance is focused on providing consulting services and support related to OQ. Over time, Systemic Compliance will dedicate itself to bringing about a whole new approach to OQ, contractor authorization/management, and compliance strategies in general – all with an eye toward a “systems” approach (i.e., API RP 1173 – PSMS). Our guiding principles will be:
- Focus on minimizing risk – With a smart approach to minimizing risk, compliance can be a result rather than the aim;
- Focus on the unique culture and processes of each operator – “One size fits all” is not the correct answer for anyone – solutions must be built around the specific needs and culture of the operator;
- Focus on practical solutions – If a solution is not practical (for the operator as well as its contractors), it won’t be successful;
- Focus on being cost efficient – cost-effective solutions are more likely to be successful in the long term;
- Focus on integration – solutions should not be built in a silo, they should be integrated into a “system” framework – one that features a strong approach to identifying and honoring linkages and managing change in a broader, smarter way.
Systemic Compliance works toward, and is dedicated to, these guiding principles. It is our unwavering belief that compliance should be a result – not the aim. Smart systems can achieve this. In other words, “COMPLIANCE SHOULD BE SYSTEMIC”.
In the coming weeks and months, we will begin detailing how we intend to help fix these issues while honoring the guiding principles laid out here. Please stay tuned. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss the challenges your organization faces – we’d appreciate the chance to help you work through those.