Guideline: Setting Up a Method Authoring Environment
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Main Description

This guideline describes how to identify, install, and configure the tools and other resources needed to support method development.

Determine environment needs

Consider the following questions to identify required tools and other resources:

  • What software is required? For example:
    • IBM(R) Rational(R) Method Composer (RMC)
    • A graphics editing program
    • Configuration Management, such as IBM Rational ClearCase(R)
    • Change Request and Enhancement Tracking and Management, such as IBM Rational ClearQuest (R)
    • A web server for hosting published content
  • What hardware is needed to run the software? For example:
    • Method author workstations for RMC
    • Servers for ClearCase, website hosting, file storage, and testing
    • What method authoring processes and quality assurance procedures must be documented?
    • What are the training and ongoing support needs to deploy and maintain the environment?
    • What physical work space is needed?

Install and configure tools

If working as part of a team of process authors, set up the shared location in which any shared content libraries and content files will be stored. This location will represent the "integration" area to combine and integrate completed work.
As a general recommendation, you should consider hosting both the integration workspace and the individual process authors private workspace using a configuration management system like IBM Rational ClearCase that provides for versioning of the method asset files, distributed development and parallel file authoring if required.

See Setup Method Authoring Environment using Rational Method Composer for more information about installing RMC and integration with ClearCase or Concurrent Versions System (CVS).

Pilot and adjust the environment

Try out the environment out as soon as possible, even in a basic or rudimentary form. This enables you to identify issues or potential problems, and start to address them as soon as they become apparent.
Using feedback from the pilot, adjust and fine-tune the environment to better support the needs of the method development teams.

Deploy the environment

This will typically require some level of planning and coordination, the formality of which is generally dependent on the size and distribution of the team.
Try to coordinate training activities immediately before or as part of the deployment effort. Conducting the training just prior to deployment of the tools gives the method authors opportunity to contribute knowledgeably to any decisions that need to be made and to indicate any preferences they may have. Conducting training too far in advance of being able to apply the skills learned is generally regarded as a bad idea.

Monitor usage of the environment on method development projects and incorporate feedback to continuously improve it.


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