NDEOUTLOOK | SCANNER THE 13TH PRINCIPLE FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Background Digital transformation is at the core of the current industrial revolution. The nondestructive evaluation (NDE) sector has started embracing it under the broad theme of NDE 4.0. It is changing the value proposition of inspection processes from “an undesirable quality check” to a “much-needed source of data, information, and knowledge,” from manufacturing to service life mainte- nance. The inspection community is at the stage where it has started exploring standards and preparing to create regu- lations. A precursor to such a disciplined or structured approach is a set of guiding principles that will enable proper devel- opment of technologies, products, and services, and enable infrastructure. This brief provides a structured model of 12 principles in three synergistic perspectives with a responsible foundation. They are designed to serve as a guide to meaningful develop- ment, deployment, and lever- aging of the next generation of inspection systems, as well as creating, capturing, and distributing value from the data they generate. Up Until Now A 2019 paper published by Ripi Singh [1] mentioned four principles for NDE 4.0 derived from the Industry 4.0 context. The ICNDT Special Interest Group subse- quently proposed eight principles as a part of NDE 4.0 deployment manage- ment guidance [2]. More recently, the authors had an extensive conversation on what is needed to help the commu- nity in absence of regulations and standards. The outcome is a list of 12 principles in a structured form, recently published in [3]. 1. Interoperability: The ability of systems (assets, instruments, sensors, devices, inspection equip- ment) to connect and communicate with each other via the Internet of Industrial Things (IIoT). 2. Information Transparency: The ability of systems to share informa- tion (with semantic interoperability), facilitating interpretation, training, and visualization. 3. Information Synthesis: The ability of systems to synthesize informa- tion obtained from the materials, environment, and usage history, of several comparable assets and provide intelligent forecasting. 4. Technical Assistance: The ability of systems to assist with inspection automation, workflow management, decision-making, and traceability. 5. Virtualization: The ability of systems to create virtual models of them- selves and of other assets in their environment that can facilitate the creation of digital twins, threads, and weaves. 6. Decentralized Decisions: The ability of systems to make decisions on their own and perform inspec- tion tasks independently, and to seek human intervention in case of exceptions, interferences, or conflicting objectives. 7. Real Time: The ability of systems to generate and retrieve datasets in real time to support or substan- tiate decentralized decision-making processes. 8. Modularity: The ability of systems to flexibly adapt to different requirements by virtue of design characteristics. 9. Product Service System (PSS): The ability to synergis- tically merge a specific set of products and services to create, capture, and distribute enhanced value for purpose. 10. Cyber Security: The ability of systems to protect them- selves from disruption or misdirection and protect the data from theft, damage, or unauthorized disclosure. 11. Ethics: The ability of the systems to reduce bias, warn users when operating outside design parame- ters, and shut down before causing any harm. 12. Sustainability: The ability of systems to self-optimize energy consump- tion and data generation for sustainability. This list should not be treated as a compliance checklist but instead as a reference for awareness, education, and guidance applications. If you have something to add, please share with the authors. A follow-up may be published in a future issue of Material Evaluation. Responsible mindset Infrastructional (1) Interoperability (2) Information transparency (3) Information synthesis (10) Cyber security Value enhancers The dozen NDE 4.0 principles (7) Realtime (8) Modularity (9) Product and service system (11) Ethical AI/ML Outcomes (5) Virtualization (6) Decentralized decisions (4) Techincal assistance (12) Ethical AI/ML NDE Outlook focuses on possibility thinking for NDT and NDE. Topics may include technology trends, research in progress, or calls to action. To contribute, please contact Associate Technical Editor Ripi Singh at ripi@inspiringnext.com. J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 • M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N 15 2301 ME Jan New.indd 15 12/20/22 8:15 AM

Outlook – Application of These Principles We see the following opportunities for the application of these principles in digitali- zation of inspection processes and digital transformation of inspection industry Ñ Basis for Much More. Profound transformation requires the commu- nity to revise governance and controls. These principles will form the basis for revisions to regulations, certifications, standards, confor- mance, and compliance require- ments, as well as best practice recommendations. Ñ Organizational Alignment. As we are getting more and more dispersed globally—delegating authority and responsibility across cultures—it is important for managers to have clarity on what is acceptable and preferred. These principles make a useful leadership tool to keep the organization aligned and focused on meaningful actions. Ñ Building a Strategic Roadmap. Transformation requires a strategic roadmap that can handle higher levels of uncertainty, rapid obsoles- cence, multiple concurrent changes, and new skills. These principles help align various facets of organizational change, reduce conflict, validate the roadmap for purpose, and gover- nance of its pursuit. In addition, these can help with assessment processes before and alignment after a merger/acquisition. Ñ Developing New NDE Products and Services. There will be times when it will be difficult to meet all of the desired requirements for the digitalized product and service system concurrently. In such situ- ations, principles help make the right choices, prioritize the proper selection of alternatives, and reduce internal conflict. Ñ Talent Development. NDE is transi- tioning from a niche role as a quality control support instrument to an invaluable knowledge-generating process for creating value through substantial improvements in busi- ness sustainability, quality, and safety. These principles shape those instances and transform how we recruit and develop NDE practi- tioners in alignment with an NDE 4.0 roadmap. Ñ Regular NDE Activity. These prin- ciples enhance the value extracted from NDE 4.0 activities, be it in-production inspection on the shop floor or in-service inspection of a high-value asset. Your Turn to Adopt and Adapt When you look deeply, you will see the intent behind the organized structure to support the applications. These are focused on the responsible use of tech- nology for a profound transformative purpose. With that in mind, you are welcome to tailor this set to your busi- ness situation, your supply chain, your customer expectations, and your desire to push innovation. You can even add some of your own to the mix. Dropping any one of them permanently is not advisable. AUTHORS Ripi Singh, PhD: Inspiring Next, Cromwell, CT, USA 1-860-816-4420 ripi@inspiring next.com Ramon Salvador Fernandez: AST NDT Level III (MT, PT, RT, UT, VT, LT), President and CEO, Fercon Group, Mexico +52 3331292560 ramon@fercon.group Johannes Vrana, PhD: Vrana GmbH, Rimsting, Germany contact@vrana.net REFERENCES 1. Singh, Ripi. 2019. “The Next Revolution in Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation: What and How? “ Materials Evaluation 77 (1): 45–50. 2. ICNDT-SIG-4.0-DMG-2-2022 NDE 4.0 Deployment Management – Guidance, Under review with ICNDT Expert panel. 3. Singh, Ripi, Ramon Fernandez, and Johannes Vrana. 2022. “Principles for Successful Deployment of NDE 4.0.” Journal of Non Destructive Testing and Evaluation 19 (4): 28–34. Retrieved from http://jnde.isnt.in/index.php/JNDE/article/ view/21 4. Singh, Ripi, and Ramon Fernandez, 2022. NDE 4.0: How to Embrace and Thrive Now? Independently published. SCANNER | NDEOUTLOOK | PARTICIPATE ASNT CERTIFICATION PREP COURSES ASNT Certification Prep Courses are now offered both online and in person in Houston, Texas. The subject matter for all courses is derived from the training topics found in CP-105, Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, and CP-189. Courses have limited class sizes for optimal learning. ASNT Certification Prep Courses are considered Level III courses and are designed for those who are currently Level II or III and are looking to become an ASNT NDT Level III or to maintain their Level III status. To register, go to asnt.org Learn Refresher/Certification Prep Courses. NEW CYBER INSURANCE In addition to comprehensive and affordable professional liability insurance coverage, Alliant, the provider of ASNT’s insurance program, now offers a standalone cyber liability policy for ASNT members. To learn more about how Alliant can reduce cyber liability risk and protect your business, visit asnt. alliant.com. NEW PRESS RELEASE INBOX Have a press release that you’d like to submit for publication in Materials Evaluation? ASNT accepts outside submissions for Industry News, People Watch, New Media, Products, and Photos. Submit your press release to press@asnt.org for consideration and review. 16 M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 2301 ME Jan New.indd 16 12/20/22 8:15 AM