Technik played a key role in assisting the AG-1 (CPP) realize their goal for automation and modernization by designing and implementing Web and client-server solutions for the Civilian Personnel Policy Office. Over the past eight years, Technik, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, assisted AG-1 (CPP) with the design and develop mission of critical systems. We provide software design, development, testing, implementation and system maintenance, configuration management, help desk and production operations support in accordance with appropriate DOD and Department of the Army doctrine, policy and guidance. The overall goal was to develop and maintain critical enterprise IT Civilian Human Resource systems supporting HQDA, Civilian Personnel Operations Centers (CPOCs), and Civilian Personnel Advisory Centers (CPACs). Technik worked in close collaboration with AG-1 (CPP) to develop new applications and introduce new technologies to ensure AG-1 (CPP) remained on the leading edge of the technology revolution. Technik provided management structure and discipline to all aspects of our task management. We applied our management policies and procedures to all aspects of the AG-1 (CPP) program to ensure that every activity is properly measured and monitored, and to ensure that all contractual and technical requirements are fulfilled. Technik developed an AG-1 (CPP) Project Management Plan and performed to that plan. This plan outlined our management policies and procedures and included comprehensive program planning that details the integration and management required to successfully perform the services necessary to support AG-1 (CPP). Our Civilian Personnel program manager and his team have been recognized for their contributions in support of the AG1-CPP mission. Awards include: Outstanding Achievement Award (AG-1 CPP, Department of Defense) and Appreciation Award (AG-1 CPP, Department of Defense).
Project Accomplishments
Project accomplishments and associated activities are described below.
Task 1: Conduct System Design and Analysis for All Tasks
Technik provided technical data support involving system design, development, testing, implementation, maintenance, Configuration Management (CM), help desk and production operations support in accordance with appropriate DoD and Army doctrine, policy and guidance. In providing this support, Technik documented all processes and procedures throughout the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Specific support functions in this area included: capturing the behavior requirements of software systems and business processes through use cases to provide beneficial means of project planning; Analyzing systems pre-redesign to ensure all requirements are fully understood and documented in a Functional Requirements Document or Case Study; Creating User Guides, Testing Documents, Online Help, Quick Guides, and comprehensive Glossaries; Training to both end-users and support personnel for each application release or content publication that required it.
Task 2: Risk Assessment
Risk on the project was managed by creating Work Control Plans that clearly stated the date and release number of when specific requirements would be implemented. This set expectations and allowed our programmers to work on the work packages.
Task 3: Code Applications According to Requirements and Standards
Technik was responsible for the engineering, development, design, and testing of all applications currently used by the AG-1 (CPP). Key facets of application development included: applications in J2EE, HTML, XML, and .NET; thorough testing of all applications before each release; conducting JAD sessions with customers to gather requirements, responding to support issues; presenting alternatives for enhancing individual and departmental efficiency using the web; attention to all aspects of implementation to ensure the application operates within the specified environment; support a development, test and production site for every application to ensure that information is updated with no impact on the production environment; and design, engineer, and develop all applications with system response time in mind to ensure applications are running as quickly and efficiently as possible. We provided quality documentation throughout the system development lifecycle.
Technik consultants also provided data conversion programming services on customer-facing business systems. We employed proven conversion methodology and tools in a process that was reusable, predictable and measurable. Data quality was validated and measured early and often in the conversion life cycle, and an iterative approach is used for data cleansing and testing. The end result was a seamless and high-quality conversion for clients’ business.
Over the past eight years, we assisted AG-1 (CPP) in designing and developing numerous mission critical systems. Technik supported all task areas the AG-1 (CPP) outlined involving software design, development, testing, implementation and system maintenance, configuration management, help desk and production operations support in accordance with appropriate DOD and Department of the Army doctrine, policy and guidance. The Army Staffing Suite Development project is a complete redesign of the Army Staffing Tools. Included under this application suite are the Applicant Notification System Web Enabled Response (ANSWER), Delegated Examining Unit (DEU), Electronic Case File (ECF), Interest & Availability (I&A), WebCert RL, Resume Builder, and Vacancy Announcement Builder and Board all of which interface with Resumix (a commercial off the-shelf package supporting Army recruitment in each region).
Task 4: Conduct Unit, Integration and System Testing
Technik’s resources conducted performance testing and tuning of large applications, their associated database requirements, and network monitoring. The methodology we followed included test planning, test case/script creation, environment preparation, test execution, results analysis & test/validation reports. Our testers prepared test/validation reports that compared test results against conditions outlined in the concept of operations, software design description and software requirements specification.
Task 5: Provide Acceptance Test Support and Production Support
For all Acceptance Tests, our Project Manager inspected the User Acceptance Test (UAT) environment to make ensure that all drops to UAT are system-tested and perform without defects. Detailed test plans and procedures were provided to the testers before hand and system developers were available to correct any problems that were encountered.
Task 6: Project Management
Technik has successfully overseen major Army initiatives such as the development and deployment of the Army Staffing Suite and the Civilian Personnel Online (CPOL) knowledge portal. We assisted Army officials in defining metrics, tools and techniques for program assessment. We advised Army personnel on the methods of cost-benefit analysis, present value concepts and principles of quantifying tangible and intangible benefits. Staff helped prepare, justify and administer the budget for program areas, plan/administer and monitor expenditure to ensure cost-effective support of the programs. Technik’s PM developed a PMP and maintained it throughout the contract period of performance. This plan included WBS, Schedule and Milestones, WBS, schedule and Critical Milestones, Staffing Plan, Key deliverables, Budget and Burn Rate information, Risk Management Plan, QCP and COOP Plan.
Task 7: Configuration Management
Technik consultants used a defined CM process to manage changes efficiently and maintain the highest levels of information integrity. We also used CM to maintain the integrity and control of products and processes throughout a project’s life cycle. We applied CM to tasks such as performance requirements, functional and physical attributes and operational performance.
Task 8: Customer Support
On this contract Technik staffed the System Operations Center (SOC) that provides continuous real time 24×7 enterprise performance and capacity monitoring for all Army unique systems, DCPDS and the communication networks at the three data centers and all CONUS/OCONUS fielded sites. DCPDS is a DOD system that is maintained by a contractor under the purview of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Civilian Personnel Management System (CPMS). The SOC also provided performance monitoring of the Email and Blackberry servers during the non-duty hours of the help desk from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 24×7 continuous support from Friday 6:00 p.m. through Monday 6:00 a.m. For this project, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) were adopted that measured and assessed the focus and performance to a mutually agreed standard. Technik helped operate, maintain, and support a three-tiered help desk that answers questions and resolves customer issues.
Task 9: Performance Metrics/ Criteria for Acceptance
Performance Measures Reports were submitted as a part of the monthly IPRs. Criteria for acceptance included timeliness, accuracy of data and crosscheck to monthly task summary reports, narratives, staffing/vacancy reports and invoices.
Overall Performance: Excellent
Delivery: Technik adhered to all deadlines and produced deliverables in a timely manner.
Cost Control: Technik performed within cost and budget.
Corrective Actions Taken: None
Technologies Used
Technology used includes: Java Platform, Enterprise Edition(J2EE), Microsoft (MS) SQL Server, HTML, XML, and .NETMS.