How Can Operations Get the Applications
Software That They Want?
R. Bailey, SL Operations,
CERN
Will concentrate on two things based on 10 years experience in SPS and
LEP division at CERN;
* What do 'operations' want?
* What is the best way to get it?
In SL division at CERN, any major development of application software to
be used in the control room entails interaction and a division of
responsibilities between people from operations, controls, accelerator physics
and equipment groups. Providing the suite of applications for the operators to
use for efficient exploitation of the machines is no exception to this. Indeed
since routine operation accounts for the largest fraction of machine time, it
should be regarded as the most important activity. We have found over 10 years
that teams led by operations people, making pragmatic use of formal development
methods, prove to be very effective in producing the required software. This
has already worked in two large projects (the SPS development for multicycling
and the LEP Sloppysoft system) and will hopefully do so in a third (the SL
transfer lines) because:
* the methods provided coherence and direction - you need them for large
projects
* operational experience ensured the correct requirements were specified -
you need them
* the same people were involved in analysis, design and implementation -
allows pragmatism
* some of the team were to use the software - gives important extra
motivation
Experienced operations personnel are best placed to perform the overall
coordination of the different groups of people involved in large projects
because they have a vested interest in getting the end product. This paper
examines the modus operandi of the above projects and contrasts this
with less successful ventures.