Database Usage And Improvement In Aerospace

Introduction

Databases are commonly used in most every business today. Information is critical to remain competitive with other businesses when providing services to the customer. Being able to track information and not allow tasks or other important items become lost is essential in retaining good interaction with the buyers.

Thesis

This paper will attempt to show the usage of modern database technology and identify the areas of improvement that can still be attained.

Current Usage

One of the primary data entry tools that is used on a daily basis is the change request application. This is a large database that contains change requests for software, hardware, or documents for the entire program. The database application was built using the Rational ClearQuest tool. This is a relational database with several built in queries and uses work flow technology to automate the logical sequence of steps that must be taken to bring a change request to closure. ClearQuest offers workflow management program that is flexible allowing the user to track defect and change requests across the system life cycle. This tools helps automate and enforce development processes and manage issues throughout the life cycle. (Fielden, 2001) Every phase of the life cycle for the change must be traversed and not bypassed.

A change control board (CCB) that contains a representative from each discipline oversees the database and provides status for each entry. This allows for assignment to the proper individual who has the responsibility and knowledge to analyze the problem. An estimate of time required to correct the situation is also included to allow work resource management and loading. Once the problem has been analyzed and approved for implementation, the task of making the correction may stay with the person who performed the analysis or the entry may be assigned to someone else based on workload. As an entry is assigned to a resource to work that portion, an e-mail notification will be sent to the person with the action required. At the change of state, the entry returns to the CCB who will move the entry to the next state and possibly assign it to the next individual if different from the previous assignee. The database implementation and maintenance is the duty of the configuration management organization.

System development organizations in the defense industry are typically reviewed for the maturity of the process. This is accomplished by an independent review team using the Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) set of metrics developed by the Software Engineering Institute. (SEI, 2005) While this paper will not be discussing this process, using the ClearQuest database tool aids an organization in being able to achieve a higher level of maturity by incorporating the workflow technology of the database.

Need for Improvement

The overall database along with the automated workflow works well within the current framework of this program. Areas of improvement would not be targeted to the workflow