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July 2006
CMM works through SIT testing
While the rest of the country swelters away the dog days of summer, the Integrated Enterprise Management Program’s, Contract Management Module (CMM) has been sweating through the tough stages of SIT Pass testing. In mid July, the CMM team wrapped up Release 7.1 SIT Pass1 testing, and moved directly into SIT Pass 2, following the conclusion of another Test Readiness Review (TRR). CMM, together with the SAP Version Update Project (SVU), has been testing integration and system interfaces. The TRR reviews were attended by the Financial Steering Group (FSG), SVU and CMM Project Team Leads and various functional experts, members of the Procurement Steering Committee, and a Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) led independent review team. TRR’s are typically held at the start of every test pass, to determine if the project is ready to proceed with testing.
The CMM team has accomplished quite a bit in the past month. The team was also able to complete the installation of the PRISM service pack 20.04 and FARFAC 2005-09B across the software’s landscape. The configuration has also been set for the training delivery instance for Single Sign On (SSO) functionality and a new gold copy for training was generated. The CMM team has also completed the training schedule, as well as the “Cats & Dogs” training update.
Once implemented, CMM will provide a comprehensive tool to support contract/grant writing, contract/grant administration, procurement workload management, and data reporting/management for NASA. The functionality provided by CMM will provide added efficiency to procurement processes, and will be integrated with existing IEMP components. CMM is using a software product called PRISM, developed by Compusearch Inc.
To keep up to date on the latest information generated from the CMM team log on to http://procurement.nasa.gov/cmm/index.shtml.
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SVU examined closely as SIT Pass2 begins
Like the Integrated Enterprise Management Module’s (IEMP) Contract Management Module, the SAP Version Upgrade has been very results oriented with their System Integration Test (SIT) Pass 1 this summer. SIT Pass 1 wrapped up on Friday, July 14 and the team immediately began preparations for SIT Pass 2 which began on July 24.
Meanwhile, the SVU Project’s Process Team continues to analyze existing end user procedures and job aids for SVU impacts. Impacted documentation will be updated and validated throughout the SVU implementation preparation activities. Project Change Management is working towards deploying Sponsorship activities and prepared to host a Sponsorship Telecon/Webex in mid month to discuss sponsor responsibilities and expectations. The SVU Change Management team succeeded in the development of training materials, end user procedures, job aids, and end user roles with the Process team. Agency and Center Implementation Teams are working on mapping activities throughout July and August to prepare users for SVU impacts to roles.
Specifically, SVU will enhance capabilities with a new Budgetary Ledger, new Budget Control System, new Payment Update, and new Year End processing. Targeted process reengineering will incorporate recommendations from both the Financial Integration Team (FIT) Program/Project Management Information Task Team and the FIT/One NASA Distribution Transfer Task Team, and will include improving program/project management information (without compromising sound financial management principles), as well as re-designing funds control and funds distribution processes.
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eTravel earns the PMC’s stamp of approval
After announcing that the Integrated Enterprise Management Program’s (IEMP) eTravel project was set to move ahead into the Realization Phase, the team was ready to seek out the approval of the Program Management Council (PMC). With the project’s Preliminary Design Review (PDR) which took place the week of June 3, 2006, the project’s Quarterly Risk Review (QRR), and NASA’s Non-Advocate Review (NAR), June 5, 2006 all completed, the team earned the ok to from the PMC to move forward into the implementation phase.
On July 7, 2006, the eTravel team enjoyed an all-hands on meeting. In the on-going push to mobilize team players towards go-live, a “Reporting Requirements Workshop” with the center reporting leads was scheduled to take place July 17, 2006. Further, the eTravel Project Team is planning to add bi-weekly status updates to their communications efforts with the centers.
The next major milestone on the horizon for eTravel is the Critical Design Review (CDR) which is scheduled in mid September. The CDR will solidify the system’s interface design and initiate the development of the interfaces to other systems, such as the financial system.
eTravel is one of the original 24 eGovernment initiatives outlined by President Bush in July of 2001. The effort was designed to make better use of information technology and to eliminate billions of dollars in Federal spending, reduce paperwork and improve government response time to citizens. As a result, FedTraveler.com, an integrated web-based application, will be implemented to give NASA online travel booking, travel authorization, and travel vouchering capabilities. The project is scheduled to be implemented NASA-wide in March 2007.
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i-View stabilizes work environments; adds another project page
Since the Integrated Enterprise Management Program’s (IEMP) portal, i-View, unveiled a major upgrade in mid-June, the tech team has been working to stabilize the i-View production environment. The much anticipated look allows additional functionality as well as a hip redesign to the home page. The portal’s four thousand users are enthusiastic about the changes and the additional features that have been delivered.
In part, the i-View team’s mission is to help centralize access to all IEMP information and applications. Recently, the i-View team developed a new page to consolidate information about the upcoming Human Capital Investment Environment (HCIE) Project. Currently, each IEM project maintains an information page on i-View to keep team members and the IEM community informed about project progress. The team is also continuing to support the development of new pages for the myCenter effort (specific pages for the centers to use within their communities).
The i-View team also participated in the 2006 Center Business Process Lead (CBPL) Summit at Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. Information showcasing i-View’s unique features, as well as how the myCenter pages can be more effectively utilized were presented at the summit. More than 75 people attended the session.
i-View allows the ease of single sign on access (SSO) to all IEM applications and many other applications employees need to use, such as Employee Express, WebTads (the Agency’s time and attendance system), USA Jobs, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP.) SSO will simplify and reduce, but not totally eliminate, user ID and password management requirements. i-View also provides the means for the IEM Program Office to communicate effectively to all IEM users without relying on email. In the coming months, the i-View team will continue to focus on adding new users and additional functionality. Looking ahead, the team will lend added support to the Contract Management Module Project (CMM), and i-View plans to play host to the financial reports which will soon be moved to a production environment.
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