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Original Date: 07/25/2005
Revision Date: 09/12/2006
Best Practice : Software Process Asset Library
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems’ Software Process Asset Library saves time and provides a more streamlined process and the program metrics required to start and manage all software projects.
Software Development Plans (SDPs) formerly required the use of numerous textbooks and process flowcharts that were often difficult to use. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (NGES) decided it was time to take advantage of computer technology and developed the Software Process Asset Library (SPAL) in 1997. The development of SPAL took approximately six months to put online. It then took NGES an additional year to convert all company documents related to the software process to digital format and place them into separate folders.
The basic purpose of SPAL is to provide the portal to the Organizational Standard Software Process (OSSP). The OSSP allows all NGES software personnel to perform their required job duties. SPAL also enables personnel to retrieve required information and use it to accomplish a task. SPAL was formulated around the development of World Wide Web standard search engines to include links to acronyms, MIL-STDs, process flowcharts, training for new hires, project metrics, the NGES organization structure, digital forms, and a “How to Get Started” button to begin any software project.
The development of SPAL involved numerous people from NGES. New hires and senior managers all had input to its formulation. SPAL’s three basic searches include a standardized search engine, pull- or drop-down menus, and lists. Because it is located on the NGES Intranet and is protected from outside influence through the use of a firewall, no standard account is needed to access SPAL.
When SPAL is updated, it is pulled off-line, all changes are implemented, and all NGES employees receive e-mail notification that SPAL has been updated to a new working version. The new version is located on the SPAL homepage with the latest version release, and all superceded versions are archived on the SPAL site for easy retrieval.
NGES has realized significant cost savings with the development and implementation of SPAL. It is now a benchmark for the entire Northrop Grumman Corporation.
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