Building an operational experience feedback to foster innovation in a thermal power plant

The theme Operational Experience Feedback (OEF) has been discussed in safety literature for decades, and studies show how knowledge management enables organisations to collect, manage, and use knowledge, while fostering innovation. This study presents the process of an OEF at a thermal power plant, developed in collaboration with the workforce, which enabled workers to design new tools and products. Existing discussion spaces, tools, and resources were identified, and the intervention systematised the process, improved existing tools, created new ones, and assigned responsibilities to ensure closure of the cycle: input, processing, monitoring, and feedback. The main limitations were identified, and a new round of meetings allowed the co-construction of a new OEF system. Once implemented, it may support a proactive organisation, acting preventively and fostering innovation.