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Last Updated:
Sunday, 04 October 2009 15:00 EDT, © 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008,
2009
Topic: Software
Issues
Dr. Dean S. Hartley III
Software issues begin with architecture and continue with
defining and creating software. The creation includes issues of
reuse and verification & validation. These processes are
aided by codes of best practice, which are ideals, advanced to
improve the general practice in a particular domain.
Data issues are equally important. Database design requires
consideration of the technical issues of efficient storage and
retrieval of data, together with considerations of the nature of
the data and its associated environment. Database design also
requires a thorough understanding of the human interface issues.
During the last decade or so, it has become clear that systems
last longer than the original plans called for and thus the
issues of understanding the data and using the data for other
purposes having advanced the need for metadata describing the
data.
While making computer models good is important, having good
documentation for the computer models may be more important. All
models are wrong (in some respect); however, many are useful (for
something). Good, readable documentation can help users to
identify proper uses for models.
Once the software is complete, it must be maintained.
Configuration management takes several forms, ranging from
management of individual computer programs to large systems of
programs.
With the advent of the world wide web, a new type of software
issue has arisen, web design. Web design extends the human
issues of conventional software into the immediacy of
unsophisticated users of the web.
Select one of the links below.
- Modern Aids to Planning Program (MAPP) Model Improvement:
Principal Investigator for integration of The
Joint Staff/J-8 MAPP, a $6-10 million/year,
multi-year computer war games project. This project
involved design, implementation and improvement of
several simulations and their support structure.
- Korean Battle Simulation Center
(BSC): Technical lead for a $9 million, two year
project in Korea and the U.S. to design and build the
Korean BSC for the Combined Forces Command Korea,
a prototype battle simulation center, a facility large
enough to support division level training exercises on
its own and containing the technology to enable links
with other BSCs during major exercises. Integrated 11
simulations to support exercises. This project involved
the use of the Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol (ALSP)
to connect previously unrelated interactive simulations
into a world-wide distributed simulation confederation
for training. Built and maintained the simulation
databases. Operated the facility in order to define the
proper procedures.
- Combined Model Database
Definition: Performed for TRAC, this
work consisted of examining the possibility of producing
a common database for the Joint Exercise Support System
(JESS), Corban, and other Corps level combat simulations.
- Combat Modeling Projects for The Joint Staff: Managed the
conversion of combat models from IBM computers to
Honeywell computers. Set standards and edited
documentation for the Vector-1, TANDEM, and UNICORN
combat models. Performed IV&V on the TAC CONTENDER combat model.
- Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO):
This project involves specifying the architecture for and
creating an OOTW Toolbox.
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): As part of a
team, created a VV&A Methodology for Conflict Modeling, Planning and Outcome
Experimentation (COMPOEX), a DIME/PMESII
simulation, including novel methods to support rapid validation under
conditions of model changes and novel methods to support causal tracing.
- Joint Virtual Analytic Center
(JVAC): Performed for The Joint
Staff/J-8, this project involved defining the
requirements for electronic collaboration to support
joint analysis at the Unified and Specified Commands and
implementing the system in both an unclassified and a
classified environment.
- Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (OASD),
Special Operations / Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC):
This project involved defining the analysis requirements
for Costing OOTWs, designing forces for OOTWs, simulating the impacts of events
in OOTWs, and making recommendations.
- Simulator Network for Training (SIMNET-T): Performed for the
Army Training and Doctrine Analysis Command (TRAC),
this project consisted of an independent verification and
validation (IV&V) of SIMNET-T's compliance with
design specifications and validation of its satisfaction
of users' requirements. This had never been done before
and defined the methodology.
- FCS Commonality Study:
Participated in a FIST project headed by Oak Ridge
National Lab (ORNL) to investigate problems and solutions
with the M&S required by the FCS ORD.
- Software Reuse: Produced
reports on software reuse for the Army Reuse Center (ARC).
Also, produced a business plan for the ARC.
- Algorithms for
Psychopharmacology: Introduced the use of influence
diagrams as an alternative presentation method for the
International Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project (IPAP). Supported the creation and execution of a
web-conference to create
psychopharmacology algorithms and analyzed its conduct.
Published a chapter in Textbook of Treatment
Algorithms in Psychopharmacology, Wiley,
1999. Chaired the Technology working group in Beijing
meeting in 2000. Supported the creation of psychopharmacology
algorithms. Part of Technical Committee responsible
for web design.
- Internal Research & Development: This project involved creating a
support tool for the Verification, Validation & Accreditation (VV&A) or
DIME/PMESII models, the DIME/PMESII VV&A Tool.
This tool keeps the records for conceptual model validation, static model
verification & validation, data verification & validation, formal (dynamic)
testing, and creation of accreditation certificates.
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