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IS480 Team wiki: 2010T1 uClaim

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Team uClaim

Group photo.JPG

Type Student group
Industry School (Education)
Semester AY 2010-2011 Semester 1
Duration 19 May 2010 - 10 Dec 2010
Team members Hendry POH
THIA Kai Xin
Mark VOON
Tommy TIEN Dehui
Daryl LEE
WONG De Ming
Supervisor Professor Li Ying Jiu
Sponsors SMU Students' Association
Clients Sarah Swee, Finance Secretary, SMUSA
Daniel Lee, Deputy Finance Secretary, SMUSA

Claiming has never been this easy.jpg














NOTE: PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Project Recap

Project Information

Our team’s project seeks to improve the current SMUSA (SMU Sports Association) claim system. This claim system is used by the various CCAs (co-curricular activity) of SMU to claim money that they have expended for various CCA purposes (e.g. purchasing jerseys, renting training space, hiring coaching staff).

By leveraging on Information Technology, our project seeks to achieve 3 aims: (1) increase the overall speed of the claims process, (2) reduce the number of mistakes caused by manual work, and (3) to be able to accurately track the status of a claim and what stage of the process it is at.


Project Features

The project implements 4 modules: budgeting, claims, administrative, and reporting.

The website has two main functions:

1. Allow users to make online claims via the SMUSA website.

2. Provides an in depth analysis function to help SMSUA determine which club is over spending and under utilizing their resources. This will help in their budgeting and quickly sieve out the clubs which have been misusing their budget.


Project Progress Summary

Project Highlights:

# Unexpected Event Reason Solution
1 The SMUSA Server crashed. As a result, the server has been deemed unrepairable and a new server must now be purchased. The SMUSA Server experienced a fatal hardware failure. We have managed to loan an IS480 machine and have been granted UPL Lab access (facilitated by Chong Yik Sean and Fiona Lee).
2 For the design of the web page and user interface, we initially intended to use NetObjects Fusion and Microsoft Expression. 1.Incompatibility issues when trying to manually manipulate the code for the backend logic of NetObjects Fusion.

2.Microsoft Expression only addresses the user interface portion of our requirements

Switched to Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 as it provides us a more holistic solution, allowing us to address both the web page and user interface requirements either by designing visually or via direct coding.
3 SMU’s Unix server (production environment) is rather complicated and taking longer than planned to master (2 weeks instead of 1 week). Time was needed to resolve host and IP address. Consulted Lee Yeow Leong (SIS Course Instructor) for guidance.
4 Change requirement by the client after our client update session: Audit Trail for claims made by CCA’s need to be recorded. Thus, the delete functionality for CCA’s, Events and Users should rightfully be implemented during the Reporting Module. The audit trail has not been implemented yet and thus CCA’s, Events and Users should not be deleted from the database. Instead, the entries should be logged in a report. Implement audit trail for deleted CCA’s, Events and Users by extracting the relevant data into a log file. This log file can then be generated into a report file for consolidation purposes.
5 Oracle Database 11G is not compatible with our school’s UNIX server. Our school’s UNIX server doesn’t support this edition of the Oracle Database. Downgrade to oracle database 10G express. However, this isn’t an issue as we don’t require the new advanced features that are exclusive to the Oracle Database 11G version.
6 Changed the user interface design (as compared to our initial wireframe design) Upon gathering comments about the initial wireframe design, we decided that userability could be increased by changing from the design of having a horizontal taskbar (with the main page below). Implemented the design of a left-sided taskbar (with the main page to the right).

Project Challenges:

# Type of Challenge Challenge Resultant Action Plan Outcome
1 Human-based Collaboration and finding common meetings times was not an easy task when dealing with such a big group size (6 people), due to conflicting work commitments (e.g. classes, CCA training, other project meetings). One of our main forms of collaboration was via the virtual world, relying on software such as Google Docs, Skype, Dropbox, and email. This was especially important when one of our team members was engaged in a 3 months overseas summer internship program. This challenge was successfully overcame via our alternative means of communication.
2 Human-based Tracking of bugs and monitoring metrics may become hard as the project is quite complex in nature and the timeline is considerably long. To solve this, we introduced the use of the Unfuddle software, which helped us to track bugs and issue tickets to track of project schedule. This challenge was successfully overcame via our effective implementation of the aspect of project management.
3 Human-based Just like any other CCA, the entire SMUSA executive committee will be replaced come the start of next year (Jan 2011). 1. Meet with the client to discuss how we should train the new batch and understand the entire SMUSA executive committee handover process.

2. Get the SMUSA executive committee to continue in their current positions until our project is fully completed so that they will fully understand our project and can effectively instruct the new batch of SMUSA executive committee.

This challenge is still present as the incoming executive committee has not been finalized yet and hence we unable to have an overall discussion with the two batches of executive committees.
4 System-based Our Claims System would be required to eventually be integrated with the Office of Finance’s (OFIN) SAP Finance Module. Proper integration is required to ensure longevity of the Claims System. As none of our group members possess prior working experience with the Office of Finance’s (OFIN) SAP Finance Module, there will be a steep learning curve to conquer in order to fully master and utilize this SAP Finance Module. Hence a large amount of time and effort must be invested to ensure proper integration with the SAP Finance module is possible. The challenge is still present as we still have not had much exposure to the OFIN SAP Finance Module.

Project Achievements:

  • Attained new skill sets

1. Learnt how to use new programs (e.g. unfuddle, oracle database, AJAX, wiki)

2. Developed a learning style (e.g. "test drive" using trial version, reading of online forums, analyzing FAQ section on company's website, group research and discussion) to learn the new systems/programs used during the course of the project)


  • Enhanced our existing IT architecture, design, and development skill sets

1. Enhanced our expertise in the area of Java programming

2. Translated business needs to IT capabilities


  • Improved on project management capabilities

1. Track bugs, implemented tickets, and tracked subversion updates via the use of Unfuddle

2. Effectively communicated and resolved conflicts while working in a self-chosen team of six who possess differing areas of specialization and working styles


  • Improved our networking and teamwork skills

1. Worked with a real-life client, which exposed ourselves to negotiation and expectation management processes

2. Conceptualized and implemented the concept of an Online Claim System and identify business scenarios where implementation of the system adds business value to our client

Project Management

Project Schedule (Plan Vs Actual):

By comparing the project plan at the midterm time period to our current time period (i.e. end of term), there has been no change in the project plan. All the previously intended task have been undertaken and completed, as per the Gantt chart illustration.

Although there were some minor delays, the overall project is still on track and the project scope has remained intact and the same as per the midterm time period.

The following section will outline the outcome of the post-midterm tasks and a brief timeline-based description for each of the tasks.


Overall Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart (updated 11thnov).JPG


Post Midterm Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart (post midterm).JPG


Analysis of Post Midterm Events

Task Intended Start Date Actual Start Date Intended End Date Actual End Date Comments
Iteration.3 17 Sep 7 Sep 7 Oct 30 Sep Work on Iteration 3 was started earlier than intended as we deemed that the Budgeting Module required a larger allocation of our time and effort resources. Hence, we were able to complete Iteration 3 earlier than intended.
Iteration.4 4 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 27 Oct Work on Iteration 4 was extended (i.e. actual end date was later than intended end date) due to the high complexity of the approval work flow. For instance, whenever there is a claim made by a financial secretary, the claim must first be approved by various approving bodies (e.g. CCA president, CBD financial secretary, SMUSA financial secretary). Hence, the complexity arose when the approving bodies vary depending on if the financial secretary is from a CCA or a CBD (i.e. the users in the approving hierarchy structure would be different).
Iteration.5 27 Oct 27 Oct 10 Nov 17 Nov Work on Iteration 5 was extended (i.e. actual end date was later than intended end date) as we required significant amount of time to modify client data for use with our system. This is as our client provided us with an excel spreadsheet with past data, and thus we had to modify the data into a proper standardized template that was suitable for the insertion of data into our database.
UAT 10 Nov 12 Nov 12 Nov 12 Nov Due to the packed work schedules of our testers (who are SMU students and this was the last week of the school term), we had to reduce our UAT session to only 1 day (i.e. 12 Nov)
Final Review 12 Nov 25 Nov 17 Nov 25 Nov With majority of the team being busy during the study week (week 14) with other project commitments and with the team's exams mostly occurring in the latter part of the exam period, we have decided to hold the Final Review during the earlier part of the exam week.

Project Metrics:

Our metrics (e.g. bug tracker, ticket tracker, milestone tracker) are collected and analysed via the use of the Unfuddle software. Screenshots can be viewed here.

Technical Complexities:

# Technical Complexity Description
1

Generating the graphs for the reporting module. These graphs provide the user with visual representation of the budget usage (allotted versus expended) for each CCA / CBD for each semester.

These graphs provide the user a good visual gauge to see how high the utilization rate is for respective CCAs / CBDs. For instance, the user can see if allotted budgets and utilization rates have been increasing/decreasing year on year.


1. The graphs are based on Google API graphs. However, instead of passing the variables through URL (which is the way that it is normally done), our system calls the Google API library securely through their HTTPS channel, heightening the security of the system.

2

SMUSA's Unix server (production environment) is rather complicated and experiences crashes / hardware failures.

As of Friday 29th October 2010, the SMUSA server has crashed and become unusable.

1. No previous experience working with such Unix server.

2. Limited help from online forums.

3. Hard to work the the user interface (command prompt view).

3

The complex structure of the Oracle database and the modifications required to connect to our web interface.

1. Hard to define data as "dynamic" or "non-dynamic".

2. Hard to define which data should be stored, as well as which table to store the data under.

3. Developing and maintaining the database was an ever-ongoing learning process as whenever you updated or added a functionality, further tweaking of the codes (e.g. SQL) and connection logic was required.

Quality of product

Project Deliverables:

Stage Specification Modules
Project Management Internal Meeting Documentation [Meeting Minutes]
Client Meeting Documentation [Client Minutes]
Supervisor Meeting Documentation [Supervisor Minutes]
Metrics [Unfuddle screenshots]
Videos [Midterm Video Part 1]
[Midterm Video Part 2]
[Midterm Video Part 3]
[Midterm Video Part 4]
Analysis Diagrams Use Case
Admin Business Process Diagram
Budgeting Business Process Diagram
Claims Business Process Diagram
Reporting Business Process Diagram
Screen Shots [Website Screenshots]
Design Diagrams Logical Diagram
CCA CBD Claim Process
School CBD Claim Process
Testing Test plan
Handover Manuals
Code Client Server
Deployment Diagram
Deliverables Presentations Acceptance Presentation
Midterm Presentation
Poster Team uClaim Corporate Poster

Deployment:

In an iterative approach, ready to use system should be available (deployed) for client and instructions to access the system described here (user name). If necessary, provide a deployment diagram link.

Testing:

Aside from internal group testing, testing was also done using external users via UAT sessions.


Number of UATs: 2 (11/10/2010, 12/11/2010)


Testers: Various executive committee members from the student body (e.g. SMUSA financial secretary, SSU financial secretary, ACF financial secretary).


Test cases: Examples of Test Cases Used During UAT (For Financial Secretaries)


Issue tracker and bug reports: We have achieved this criteria via the use of the Unfuddle software, which is a project management solution that encompasses Subversion hosting and implements tickets to track our progress with program bugs and milestones to track what we achieved. Screenshots of our implementation of the Unfuddle software can be found here

Reflection

Team Reflection:

# Learning Outcome Actions Taken
1 The aspect of project management is a very important one. As such, proper documentation and issue tracking is critical as allows the group to accurately track if they are on schedule and what are the outstanding errors or uncompleted tasks. To ensure that we manage our project to the best of our ability, we have employed the Unfuddle software to aid us in this area. More information can be found at the knowledge base.
2 The team chose to use the Oracle Database 10G Express as their database management system for their project. As none of the team has previously worked with any Oracle database software, the initial learning curve for mastering the Oracle database was rather steep and substantial time was required to read up on forums and to experiment with the database and connecting it to our web interface. Thus, developing and maintaining the database was an ever-ongoing learning process as whenever you updated or added a functionality, further tweaking of the codes (e.g. SQL) and connection logic was required. To ensure that we have maximized our database management system use and improved our knowledge of Oracle Databases, we have documented our experiences with the Oracle Database and written an "installation bible". More information can be found at the knowledge base.
3 The team definitely improved in both the areas of technical and non-technical skills. And one key factor that helped us achieve this was that we determined the project’s learning outcomes at the start of the project to ensure a holistic project that maximizes our learning opportunities and project quality. Refer to our learning points sectionfor the detailed learning outcome breakdown & analysis.

Individual Reflections:

To view the individual reflections, please click here.

Challenges faced

1. Complex stakeholder business requirements

2. Software failures (e.g. failure of the school’s server)

3. Efficient scheduling and resource planning (e.g. conducting a UAT involves the juggling of the conflicting schedules of 15 people)

Takeaways

1. Imperative to have a strong and well thought-out mitigation plan with a few possible alternatives as it allows us to efficiently reorganize the project when hiccups occur

2. Important to decide upon learning outcomes at the start of the project and how we are going to achieve them. Strict adherence to the learning outcomes will maximize our learning opportunities.

"Even though there were various issues that cropped up during the process, Team uClaim has maintained professionalism throughout the process thus far and gave us the necessary assurance that the project can be completed in accordance to our requirement. They have been responsive to our feedback and have taken in our comments to further improve the overall usability and efficiency of the system. As the project enters the final stages, we are confident that the projects' deliverable will be produced in a manner that is timely and of high quality. We are, without a doubt, satisfied that the system will live up to its expectation and will help improve our finance claim system."

- Sarah Swee, Honorary Finance Secretary, SMUSA, 7th November 2010

Previous Wiki Information

As this is our final wiki report, this wiki page has undergone considerable change as compared to the pre-final wiki. To view the previous version of Team uClaim's wiki, please click here.


Contact Information

Should you need to contact Team uClaim (e.g. if you wish to open our presentation slides), please send an email to the team's project manager, Tommy Tien.