[477] in I/T Delivery
Third Barton delivery report for April
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Sarah Shreeves)
Fri May 11 11:31:04 2001
Message-Id: <4.3.2.7.2.20010511113309.01961bc8@hesiod>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 11:34:17 -0400
To: delivery@mit.edu
From: Sarah Shreeves <sls@MIT.EDU>
Cc: stc-lib@mit.edu, c3-lib@mit.edu, barton-lib@mit.edu
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Project Name: Third Barton Transition
Project Leader: Sarah Shreeves
Report Date: May 11, 2001
URL: http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/barton/transition/
General
-------------
Our focus for this month have been correcting the data mapping and
programming for the full data load that was due up on May 1. The
functional teams spent the early part of the month working with Christine
to make corrections to tables and data mapping. Christine Moulen and Beth
Siers also spent much of this month off loading data from ADVANCE for
delivery to Ex Libris by April 20.
Unfortunately, due to technical problems and a problem with communication
with the vendor in Israel, the full data load expected on May 1 will not be
available until May 14. However, we expect to be able to adjust our
schedule slightly and continue to move forward.
We have also been undergoing a fair amount of training, and have been
working on testing some of our major workflows.
Accomplishments in April
-----------------------------------------
Data Conversion:
--Christine and Greg worked to correct mapping and programming for the data
extraction for the full test load. Functional teams worked with Christine
to set up mapping corrections and table corrections.
--Christine, Beth, and Greg off loaded the full database for delivery to Ex
Libris on April 20.
--Ex Libris is working now to convert the full test load. They failed to
deliver the full test load to MIT by the May 1 deadline. We are adjusting
our schedule for testing ahead for an equal number of days.
Test Database:
--Naomi (Ex Libris) worked to put up the test database. However, there
have been several bugs which are being worked out now. We have not been
able to get the full use of the test database that we would like. Ex
Libris has committed to solving this problem in May.
Workflow testing:
--Functional teams have begun to test workflows and major processes. On
April 30 we tested our year end processes which were successful.
Staff training:
-- Intro to ALEPH/Basic searching training sessions are underway thanks to
Nina Davis-Millis. Functional groups are actively planning their training
sessions for staff.
-- Ex Libris conducted Acquisitions training (April 9-10), Authorities
training (April 12), and Serials training (April 17-19). Unfortunately the
authorities training had problems connections to the Chicago server didn't
work, etc and we have asked for a credit for that day.
OPAC:
-- Ex Libris sent a consultant to work with us on the web OPAC for two
days. She was extremely helpful and has been added to our project list.
Publicity:
-- Flyers have been sent to all libraries, and an email sent to subject
specialists for them to forward to their departments.
-- Article submitted to GSN (Graduate Students Newsletter)
-- Sarah published the downtime plan to all staff. See:
http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/barton/transition/downtime/index.html
Misc:
-- Acknowledged excellent work to date with a full team and support
celebration on April 26th
-- Sarah showed Kathy Cahill how some basic tasks (searching the OPAC and
circulating materials) in the ALEPH client so that she could conduct
usability tests.
Goals for May
--------------------------
Project Management:
-- Determine how to adjust schedule/tasks for the two week delay in getting
the full test load.
Data Conversion:
-- Full test database available May 14, 2001. (Ex Libris)
-- Data testing May 14-25. (functional teams)
-- Report due to Ex Libris by May 28th (tentative) (Sarah/Christine)
Server configuration:
-- Resolve disk space problems on server. (MIT/Ex Libris)
Workflow:
-- Testing SAP feed for acquisitions invoices for week of May 14th
(Christine/FSS)
-- Resolution to building holdings/items on bib loads (Ex Libris/MIT)
-- Plan for testing of loaders (Ex Libris/MIT)
Production in ADVANCE:
-- Acquisitions begins process of going down on May 25 (last day for
orders). Year end processes run Jun 1. (MIT)
OPAC:
-- Move OPAC to production database on May 21. (OPAC team/Systems)
-- Conduct usability testing during week of May 21. (Nicole Hennig/OPAC team)
Training:
-- Circulation training (May 1-2), ILB training (May 3), Cataloging tables
training (May 14), Reports training (May 18), Reserves training (May 22),
Systems Librarian training (May 29) (training offered by Ex Libris)
-- Work with local processing and collection services and circ to work out
a training plan for local processing (Sarah)
-- Staff catalog training continues. (Nina and the training group)
-- Web training group continues to develop training program. (web training
group)
-- Training for staff begins in functional modules
Publicity:
-- table tents and flyers out to libraries (Sarah)
-- letter from Ann Wolpert to faculty sent out (Sarah/Ruth/Ann)
Misc:
-- Interface demo on May 24 (Ex Libris)
-- Noam Kaminer (data conversion lead in Israel) visiting MIT May 22-23
-- Work with Kathy Cahill on usability testing for the client. (Sarah)
-- Have list of reports needed day 1 (Joan K./Sarah)
Team Dynamics
-----------------------
The Project team has been working hard. I have been impressed by their
ability to get a lot of work done on time. However, the stress level has
increased especially since the date slippage.
Key Learning
-------------------
Persistence and constant communication with the vendor have been very
important in getting our needs addressed. Having a very supportive sponsor
is even more important in this effort as the vendor has missed an important
deadline.
Issues
-------------------
Effective communication with the vendor continues to be a major issue. A
combination of factors including poor communication has caused a 2 week
delay in testing the full database.
--=====================_1234184==_.ALT
Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii"
<html>
Project Name: Third Barton Transition<br>
Project Leader: Sarah Shreeves<br>
Report Date: May 11, 2001<br>
URL:
<a href="http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/barton/transition/" eudora="autourl">http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/barton/transition/</a><br>
<br>
General <br>
-------------<br>
<br>
Our focus for this month have been correcting the data mapping and
programming for the full data load that was due up on May 1. The
functional teams spent the early part of the month working with Christine
to make corrections to tables and data mapping. Christine Moulen
and Beth Siers also spent much of this month off loading data from
ADVANCE for delivery to Ex Libris by April 20. <br>
<br>
Unfortunately, due to technical problems and a problem with communication
with the vendor in Israel, the full data load expected on May 1 will not
be available until May 14. However, we expect to be able to adjust
our schedule slightly and continue to move forward.<br>
<br>
We have also been undergoing a fair amount of training, and have been
working on testing some of our major workflows.<br>
<br>
<br>
Accomplishments in April<br>
-----------------------------------------<br>
<br>
Data Conversion:<br>
--Christine and Greg worked to correct mapping and programming for the
data extraction for the full test load. Functional teams worked
with Christine to set up mapping corrections and table corrections.<br>
--Christine, Beth, and Greg off loaded the full database for delivery to
Ex Libris on April 20.<br>
--Ex Libris is working now to convert the full test load. They
failed to deliver the full test load to MIT by the May 1 deadline.
We are adjusting our schedule for testing ahead for an equal number of
days. <br>
<br>
Test Database:<br>
--Naomi (Ex Libris) worked to put up the test database. However,
there have been several bugs which are being worked out now. We
have not been able to get the full use of the test database that we would
like. Ex Libris has committed to solving this problem in May.<br>
<br>
Workflow testing:<br>
--Functional teams have begun to test workflows and major
processes. On April 30 we tested our year end processes which were
successful.<br>
<br>
Staff training:<br>
-- Intro to ALEPH/Basic searching training sessions are underway thanks
to Nina Davis-Millis. Functional groups are actively planning their
training sessions for staff.<br>
-- Ex Libris conducted Acquisitions training (April 9-10), Authorities
training (April 12), and Serials training (April 17-19).
Unfortunately the authorities training had problems connections to
the Chicago server didn't work, etc and we have asked for a credit for
that day.<br>
<br>
OPAC:<br>
-- Ex Libris sent a consultant to work with us on the web OPAC for two
days. She was extremely helpful and has been added to our project
list. <br>
<br>
Publicity:<br>
-- Flyers have been sent to all libraries, and an email sent to subject
specialists for them to forward to their departments. <br>
-- Article submitted to GSN (Graduate Students Newsletter)<br>
-- Sarah published the downtime plan to all staff. See:
<a href="http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/barton/transition/downtime/index.html" eudora="autourl">http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/barton/transition/downtime/index.html</a><br>
<br>
Misc:<br>
-- Acknowledged excellent work to date with a full team and support
celebration on April 26th<br>
-- Sarah showed Kathy Cahill how some basic tasks (searching the OPAC and
circulating materials) in the ALEPH client so that she could conduct
usability tests.<br>
<br>
<br>
Goals for May<br>
--------------------------<br>
Project Management:<br>
-- Determine how to adjust schedule/tasks for the two week delay in
getting the full test load.<br>
<br>
Data Conversion:<br>
-- Full test database available May 14, 2001. (Ex Libris)<br>
-- Data testing May 14-25. (functional teams)<br>
-- Report due to Ex Libris by May 28th (tentative)
(Sarah/Christine)<br>
<br>
Server configuration:<br>
-- Resolve disk space problems on server. (MIT/Ex Libris)<br>
<br>
Workflow:<br>
-- Testing SAP feed for
<font face="Century Gothic, Avant Garde">acquisitions invoices for
</font>week of May 14th (Christine/FSS)<br>
-- Resolution to building holdings/items on bib loads (Ex
Libris/MIT)<br>
-- Plan for testing of loaders (Ex Libris/MIT)<br>
<br>
Production in ADVANCE:<br>
-- Acquisitions begins process of going down on May 25 (last day for
orders). Year end processes run Jun 1. (MIT)<br>
<br>
OPAC:<br>
-- Move OPAC to production database on May 21. (OPAC
team/Systems)<br>
-- Conduct usability testing during week of May 21. (Nicole Hennig/OPAC
team)<br>
<br>
Training:<br>
-- Circulation training (May 1-2), ILB training (May 3), Cataloging
tables training (May 14), Reports training (May 18), Reserves training
(May 22), Systems Librarian training (May 29) (training offered by Ex
Libris)<br>
-- Work with local processing and collection services and circ to work
out a training plan for local processing (Sarah) <br>
-- Staff catalog training continues. (Nina and the training group)<br>
-- Web training group continues to develop training program. (web
training group)<br>
-- Training for staff begins in functional modules<br>
<br>
Publicity:<br>
-- table tents and flyers out to libraries (Sarah)<br>
-- letter from Ann Wolpert to faculty sent out (Sarah/Ruth/Ann)<br>
<br>
Misc:<br>
-- Interface demo on May 24 (Ex Libris)<br>
-- Noam Kaminer (data conversion lead in Israel) visiting MIT May
22-23<br>
-- Work with Kathy Cahill on usability testing for the client.
(Sarah)<br>
-- Have list of reports needed day 1 (Joan K./Sarah)<br>
<br>
<br>
Team Dynamics<br>
-----------------------<x-tab> </x-tab><br>
The Project team has been working hard. I have been impressed by their
ability to get a lot of work done on time. However, the stress level has
increased especially since the date slippage.<br>
<br>
Key Learning<br>
-------------------<br>
Persistence and constant communication with the vendor have been very
important in getting our needs addressed. Having a very supportive
sponsor is even more important in this effort as the vendor has missed an
important deadline.<br>
<br>
Issues<br>
-------------------<br>
Effective communication with the vendor continues to be a major
issue. A combination of factors including poor communication has
caused a 2 week delay in testing the full database.<br>
</html>
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