1

OVERVIEW

• Set Context

• Process Concepts

• Conducting an Interview

• Interview & Initial Analysis Exercise

• Initial Analysis

• Interview Preparation for CADB Interview

2

Set Context

• NOAA Descriptive Model

PlanningPlan the ProductPlan the Work

Commitment Familiarization Interview Prep

NOAA Operational ProcedureDocumentation Process

Interviewing

Initial Analysis

Conducting Interview ProductConstruction

Verificationand

Validation

Iterative Documenting Phase

ProjectEvaluation

3

Set Context

• End Result: Process Guide

Process Definition Guidefor the

GOES Precipitation Index

Climate Prediction Center

5 December 1996

4

Process Concepts

• Process Fidelity

• Process Elements

• Models, Guides, Templates, Checklists

5

Process Fidelity

• When is a Process Defined?– It is documented– Training is provided– Practiced on a day to day basis

• In other words:Practice = Documentation = Training

6

Process Fidelity,Continued

• Concepts– What is written down (documented)

is the same as what is practiced

Example: Practice is “true to” the documentation

– Add a consistent training program and you have a defined process

Practice = Documentation = Training

7

Process Elements (Building Blocks)

• Work Products– Scientific products– Climate databases

• Activities– Steps taken to create a product– Steps taken to create a database

• Agents– Scientist who creates and

maintains the scientific product– Person who creates and maintains

the climate database

8

Applying Building Blocks

• Process Information GuidelinesProcess Information Guideline Process Documentation Element

What are the work products whichare to be produced?

List of CPC work products

What activities are to beperformed?

List of activities(Process Definition Pilot Plan)

What agents are involved? List of agents

How are activit ies implemented? Description of procedure, method(CPC Initial Model)

When do activit ies begin and end? • Activity entry criteria• Activity exit criteria

What inputs are required by theactivity?

Activity inputs

What product(s) are generated bythe activity?

Activity outputs

What agents are responsible forperforming each activity?

Activity is performed by ...

Why is an activity performed? Activity purpose

What activity is next? Activity flow

9

Applying Building Blocks, Continued

• Activity Entry Criteria– When can this activity begin?

Example:• Management approval

• Process Definition Plan completed

• Activity Exit Criteria– when is this activity complete?

Example:• Process guide ready for review

• Scientist satisfied with process guide

10

Applying Building Blocks, Continued

• Activity Input– What products (data) are used by

this activity?

Example:• GTS data, Satellite data, etc…

• Activity Output– What products are produced by

this activity?

Example:• Daily Climate data

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Model, Guides, Templates, Checklists

• Process Representation

Need to:– Standard way to express process

definitions– Present process definitions in a format

that facilitates communication

• Benefit– A well-defined and formally represented

process can be used to:• Communicate steps to be taken to achieve

product development

• Capture software process knowledge for reuse

12

Models, Guides, Templates, Checklists

Examples

• Graphical Process Model– A detailed description of a process– A graphical representation for

modeling and analyzing elements and their relationship, e.g. data flow, work flow, dependencies, etc.

ForwardProducts

ApplyAlgorithm

GlobalProduct

RainfallProduct

MergeData

Build Global Precipitation Products

Global

NESDIS

Satellite

Operations

Subsatellite

Points

METEOSATGOES GMSPOES

Prepare Data

13

Models, Guides, Templates, Checklists

Examples

• ETVX– Developed at IBM in the mid

1980’s– Architecture includes four

components for each work activity:

• entry criteria

• task

• validation

• exit criteria

14

Models, Guides, Templates, Checklists

Examples

• Information Mapping®– A structured, principle-based

method for developing and documenting policy, process, and procedures

– Originator Robert Horn

Seven Principles• chunking• relevance• labeling• consistency• integrated graphics• accessible detail• chunking/labeling hierarchy

Seven Info-Maps®• Process Map• Procedure Map• Structure Map• Concept Map• Principle Map• Fact Map• Classification Map

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Models, Guides, Templates, Checklists

Examples

• Checklist example

Data Period Source

US GOES East and Westpentad satellite data

Seasonal (three)months being generated

NESDIS

GMS satellite data Seasonal (three)months being generated

Japan

METEOSAT satellitedata

Seasonal (three)months being generated

Germany

Daily POES satellite data Seasonal (three)months being generated

CPC

IntercalibrationCoefficients (If Available)

Seasonal (three)months being generated

International SatelliteCloud ClimatologyProject (ISCCP)

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Conducting an Interview

• Interview Preparation

• Collect and Clarify Process Data (conducting interview)

• Initial Analysis

• Product (Model) Construction

• Verification and ValidationExit

Entry

Verification& Validation

ProductConstruction

InitialAnalysis

ConductingInterview

InterviewPreparation

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Step 1: Interview Preparation

• What have we done– Identified team– Selected process– Setup interview– Confirmation (dates, location,

etc,...)

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Step 2: Interview Preparation

• Scripting and ordering questions– Establish interview process

• Assigning roles

• Creating a meeting agenda

• Ground rules (confidentiality)

• 80/20 rule

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Interview Preparation, Continued

• Interviewing Process (key concepts)– “Active Listening”– Ask “Open Ended” questions– Manage time– Validate / Restate what was said

(Clarify information)– Summary “Yes/No Questions”– Thank the interviewee

20

Interview & Initial Analysis Exercise

• Demonstration Interview Process– Distribute script questions– Conduct Interview– Analysis

21

Initial Analysis

• ETVX

OutputsInputs

E T

V

XEntry When do I begin?

Task Procedure(s)

Exit Is the activity complete?

Verify

Validate

Note: Verify - Am I building the product right?Validate - Am I building the right product?

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Summary

PlanningPlan the ProductPlan the Work

Commitment Familiarization Interview Prep

NOAA Operational ProcedureDocumentation Process

Interviewing

Initial Analysis

Conducting Interview ProductConstruction

Verificationand

Validation

Iterative Documenting Phase

ProjectEvaluation

23

Interview Preparationfor CADB Interview