110 likes | 125 Views
Challenges of Agency Projects Across Heterogeneous Environments. Carol S. Bryant Ken Freeman Linda Rawlins August 18, 2010. Welcome to NASA. Carol Bryant, MSFC OCIO (NISN, WANR, IPAM, WANX, NCI) Ken Freeman, ARC OCIO (SOC) Linda Rawlins, MSFC OCIO (NCAD)
E N D
Challenges of Agency Projects Across Heterogeneous Environments Carol S. Bryant Ken Freeman Linda Rawlins August 18, 2010
Welcome to NASA • Carol Bryant, MSFC OCIO (NISN, WANR, IPAM, WANX, NCI) • Ken Freeman, ARC OCIO (SOC) • Linda Rawlins, MSFC OCIO (NCAD) • The Agency has come a long way…but we’re not done yet. • Agency projects must be innovative in delivering efficient, effective, and accessible services without adversely impacting current operations. Acknowledge there will be some discomfort. • Continue to improve the effectiveness of new projects by learning from predecessor projects. Challenges of Agency Projects —2— August 18, 2010
Solution Footprint • Projects within single management domain but affecting multiple Centers represent a set of challenges • Extending beyond a single organization’s management domain introduces additional challenges • Resources (“unfunded mandates”) • Outreach/Communications • Extending to end-users further introduces additional challenges • Transition timetables grow Presentation Title—3—March 5, 2010
Project Management • Outreach/Communications • Discovery (technical, operations, policy, etc.) • Requirements/Scope Management * • Corporate vs. Mission • Templates, checklists, etc. • Schedule, cost diligence • Funding - Project and Steady State (SS) • Mission freezes (moving target) • Integrated Master Schedule • Contact Project Executive for project/service • Center participation Challenges of Agency Projects —4—August 18, 2010
Technical Design • Requirements • Requirements creep • Product evaluation (adequate time, resources) • Market availability, stability, lifecycle • Disaster Recovery • Service availability • Integration/interoperability with external systems (can be moving target) • Detailed vendor documentation Challenges of Agency Projects —5—August 18, 2010
Scope Management:IT vs. Building Bridges • We cannot build a bridge halfway across a river that provides value, however, we can build a partial IT system that provides value • Project phasing may be necessary to decrease the timeframe for operational improvements • Increases project management overhead, but increases operational value • Needs to be explained in communications packages Presentation Title—6—March 5, 2010
Non-Project Resources • Agency projects have notoriously been characterized as “unfunded mandates” • In addition to working day-to-day tasks, the Centers are supporting multiple Agency project implementations, limiting resources • Consider Center resources, as part of schedule and budget planning • Resource issues, also include facilities Presentation Title—7—March 5, 2010
Outreach/Communications • We found miscommunications with the OCIO community, HQ customer, Centers and Agency users • Lessons Learned • Communications is a contact sport • Visit stakeholders when possible (including listening to their concerns) • Develop communications plan • Analyze the needs of stakeholders Presentation Title—8—March 5, 2010
Migration Planning: Center Role • Data validation • Firewall rules • Facility modifications • Changes in operating environment since discovery • Functional checkout test plans • Accessible (and funded) lab environment • Modify local procedures for new systems Challenges of Agency Projects —9—August 18, 2010
Migration Planning: Project Role • Clearly define roles and responsibilities • Provide guidance in the development of integrated processes and procedures • Project checklists (communication) • Center testing and education • Include adequate time in schedule • Provide lab environment for Center use • Customize migration process (limited) • Conduct frequent tag-ups • Keep Help Desk informed in dynamic/ changing landscape Presentation Title—10—March 5, 2010
Operations • Multiple contracts across solution footprint • Standardized management processes • Centralized and/or distributed • Local service contacts (touch support) • Scheduling multi-center activities during flight freezes • Freeze periods differ by site • Use Agency activity notification process • Training • Scripts and tools for operations • Maintaining high-end vendor support Challenges of Agency Projects —11—August 18, 2010