JCON: HOW CRITICAL PMO CONSULTING SAVED A PROGRAM
IN TROUBLE
Situation
In September 1997, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Joint Consolidated Office
Network (JCON) program was plagued by a growing list of technical problems. Early
JCON rollouts proved to be inherently unstable and complex to manage and administer.
Additionally, the total cost of ownership was rising with increased demands for
support and engineering. Faced with these problems, the Deputy Chief Information
Officer (CIO) and the JCON Program Management Office (PMO) sought independent
specialists to provide a fair assessment of the situation, and identify what must be
done to get the program back on track.
SPS - Problem Solved.
The JCON PMO selected SPS to assess the JCON implementation and plans, and recommend
a new architecture as appropriate. In close collaboration with DOJ functional and
technical stakeholders, SPS re-validated JCON requirements, identified JCON design
inabilities to meet the requirements, and proposed a candidate new architecture
and approach. SPS tested the new approach in a laboratory setting to set a solid
technology baseline. After a highly successful first deployment, the DOJ expanded and
retained the SPS team as the JCON PMO enterprise architecture advisors.
Methodology
The SPS team was composed of several domain experts, each with expertise in the
specific problem areas of the JCON architecture. The team's goal was to identify the
hardware and software components in the JCON Baseline that should be changed to
affect a standard JCON architecture that would be an efficient enterprise solution. The
team's solution was also required to resolve the current JCON problems and provide a
future strategic direction for the Department's office automation systems.
The team's approach was to work in close concert with key Department management
and technical staff to conduct the project tasks. The team used existing JCON
documentation and interviews with component technical and executive staff to develop a
baseline understanding. This was further augmented with JCON business requirements
developed through a Planning Workshop held with senior business executives.
The analysis resulted in a recommendation to redesign JCON with a homogeneous
architecture for core-office automation services. Based on a better functionality match
and industry trends, the JCON business units unanimously agreed that a homogeneous
Microsoft Office systems architecture was the right choice for JCON II. This was actually
considered a "leading edge" choice in 1997.
The team was next tasked with developing the "strawman" architecture for this new
design. The Strawman JCON Architecture was developed using criteria identified in the
Planning Workshop, technical research into mainstream office automation systems, case
studies of major office automation implementations, and interviews and meetings with
leading software vendors. Using the information gathered during the Design Workshop,
the Strawman JCON Architecture was refined into the Target JCON Architecture.
After receiving approval from USDOJ executives, the SPS team developed a full-scale
system design that included the identification of major components, interfaces to the
system, testing strategies, and test plans. The design specifications were thoroughly
tested in a lab environment that utilized a LAN/WAN, workstation, and server hardware, as
well as software components that made up the new JCON II architecture.
Lessons Learned
Far reaching systems, such as JCON, require enterprise level technical analysis and
enterprise level functional and technical consensus and leadership. Obtaining
consensus at DOJ was difficult since the JCON business units each had independent
IT organizations and budgets. For three months, SPS conducted interviews, group
workshops, and documentation reviews. The original set of business requirements
was re-validated, and found to be lacking in priorities since each business unit had
their own high priority requirements. Without extensive use of facilitated group workshops
and planning sessions, a consensus might never have been reached. However, with the help
of this technique, the team managed to create a single, core functional specification
that included requirements to all of the JCON business units.
Results
The JCON II Architecture was first deployed in 1998 in the DOJ Justice Management
Division - the Office of the Attorney General. Despite great success, the team was
immediately put to work on further JCON Architecture design and planning. As an
independent group in support of the JCON PMO, the SPS team was not only able to provide
the critical analysis needed to turn around the failing JCON project, but has also
evolved to become the center of JCON Architecture and Design. Their effectiveness
is proven by the ability of JCON architecture to scale from 25,000 to over 70,000 users
with sustained performance, accuracy, and security metrics.
Client Benefits
DOJ components could roll out a common solution with minor tailoring. DOJ
could capitalize on saved time and money by not having to develop and implement a
custom solution for each DOJ component.
About SPS
Software Performance Systems, Inc. (SPS), a small business based in Maryland, is
a privately held information technology services provider.
Established in 1995, SPS specializes in the design and integration of large
Web-based solutions for State and Local Governments and commercial
clients. SPS has been honored with many national awards, including:
#10 ranking in the Computerworld Top 100 Best Places to Work in IT, Deloitte's
Virginia Technology Fast 50 and North America Technology Fast 500, and as a SBA
Exporter of the Year. More importantly, SPS solutions helped our clients win
prestigious awards, including the Grace Hopper Federal Government Technology
Leadership Award, the E-Gov Pioneer Award, the Excellence.gov Grand Prize
Award, and the Government IT Agency Award for Excellence in Government.
SPS...proven over time.
Contact Information
Software Performance Systems, Inc.
Mike Dorsett, PMP
VP Financial Solutions Division
301-518-5711
mdorsett@gosps.com
www.goSPS.com
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