OCI team managed the program/projects planning and delivery through the full PMLC/SDLC phases using Federal EMF and PMI/PMBOK framework, structured waterfall and iterative prototyping approach. Technologies included: Java and Java-based tools, UML, Use cases, Oracle designer, Oracle 8i, 9i, Toad, SQL, PL/SQL, JDeveloper, Oracle IAS, JSPs, Servlets, Java Beans, Apache, IBM Webspher, Solaris, Windows 2000, MS Project, MS office.
OCI team assessed existing legacy Business Processes, Data, Applications, Technology/Infrastructure and security architecture; Identified gaps, deficiencies and risks; defined target state; and developed strategic and tactical plans achieve target state and obtained stakeholders approval; OCI team tested existing legacy applications and identified bugs and fixed them to stabilize system while working leading complete IM/IT/IS program renewal. Further more, OCI team collaborated with clients, vendors and partners to:
• Stabilize the current system till a more robust solution is developed and implemented:- OCI team fixed most critical and important issues and made the system usable.
• Define architectural solution options and recommend best fit solution:- OCI evaluated three Application Architectural solution including: Java, Cold Fusion and Oracle forms and recommended Java (but without EJB’s). OCI team documented, presented and discussed the options with the client and subsequently implemented the Client choice as recommended by OCI.
• Design the system to meet and exceed user requirements:- OCI designed a modular system that provided secure access authorization at three levels: secure Internet/intranet access through Entrust Certificates, Screen level access and data level access. There were four user roles including: Super Headquarter user (3 users); Regional Administrator user(40 users); Regular user(200 users); and future Service Providers users (could reach thousands).
• Design an easy to administer system:- OCI designed MTRS to handle and respond to dynamically defined user and regional profiles.
• Design the system to meet performance requirements and increasing number of users:- OCI team designed the system to monitor its own resources and usage. The OCI team stress tested and tuned each function of the system throughout the performance chain including: the Server, Desktop, Database, SQL and Application code components.
• Produce plans for System Development and Implementations:- OCI recommended that it uses an iterative and staggered prototyping approach. OCI recommended this approach due to two main reasons: First, User requirements were not well defined and the client were not sure what they exactly wanted till they see what they could get; Second, to minimize risks through proof of concept prototype before it embarked on major development effort. The approach worked well and lead to project success.
• Produce system transition and implementations Strategy:- OCI team conducted impact Analysis for modified and new features and implemented the resulting changes in the database and system (functional) side. OCI team also developed the SQL scripts to migrate database structure and data once each release was accepted, finalised and ready for implantations.
• Develop fail-over strategy: For each release OCI developed the scripts and code necessary to bring the system back to its previous state in case anything wrong went with the implementation in the production environment.
• Develop and implement domain management plans:- OCI team created and managed three independent environments including: Development, Testing and Production and kept in sync as needed.
OCI team used a combination of waterfall and the iterative prototyping and staggered approach to built state of the art medical Transportation Systems (MTRS). It a 3-tier internet based system that is scalable, accessible, extensible, interoperable (with SAP and others systems), bilingual and with very sophisticated access authorization based on roles, screens and data.
Governance Approach
At no additional cost to Alberta Infrastructure (AI), if agreed to; OCI will provide a senior Practice Manager to oversee OCI’s resources work. With extensive transformational projects and program, the Practice Manager will oversee governance, deliverables quality, accountability and service continuity. The practice manager will spend two (2) to four (4) days a month. The Practice Manager will take active role at the initial stages of the engagement and work with OCI project team to ensure sound definition of objective, strategy, and more detailed work plan; monitor the work and ensure that OCI deliverables leverage AIs and industry best practices to meet highest quality and ensure deliverables are within scope, timeline and cost
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OCI candidates will adhere to the AI’s methodologies, standards and guidelines in Projects and Program Management and Solution Architecture and/or use OCI’s best practices to supplement AI’s standards.
The Practice Manager will monitor the work and ensure that OCI deliverables leverage IAs and industry best practices to meet highest standard of quality, delivered on time, within budget and within scope.
Communication and Risk Management
Effective, continuous, well defined and suitable team communication is very critical to the success of the project. OCI ensues that its leads (project managers) dedicate significant effort to ensure that all stakeholders and team members are up-to-date on the progress, challenges and successes of the project. OCI will ensure that each issue and risk is assigned to the relevant team member(s) and responsibilities of resolutions are well defined, timed and clearly understood.
The objective is to manage expectations, focus on results, manage issues before they become and manage risks before they become major problems and ensure team high morals. This is to ensure that team members follow outlined plans and issues are flagged early on to be dealt with before they become risks.
Communication
• At Project Initiation: OCI resources will meet OCI Practice Manager to review initial work plan, key issues and possible risks and review/consult on course of actions. Weekly meetings at initial stage of project.
• Project progress (timeline, deliverables) is reviewed along with millstones, deliverables, key issues and risks with mitigation and resolution options and recommendations. Updated project plan/schedule along with status report is presented and reviewed with dashboard. Bi-weekly meeting with Practice Manager.
• Deliverables: Practice manager will review OCI resources deliverables and ensure quality, completeness and accuracy based on AI’s requirements and standards and OCI’s best practices.
• Status report: will contain issues, constraint and risks each described along with impact, priority, effort required, timeline, solution/mitigation options and recommended resolution.
• Unresolved issues or risks are escalated in timely fashion to Program/project authority.
• Approval for directions deliverables are discussed and obtained from AI’s project authority or steering committee.
Note: the extent of OCI practice manager involvement in OCI resources work/tasks will be discussed and agreed to by AI.
Testing by SM