Revamping an in-house developed supplier registry application

Working Experience Report

Software engineer and project engineer are some of the most famous professions in the field of Information Technology. Given their popularity in the IT field, having experience in these professions can be considerably advantageous. The necessary experience can be obtained through working in different areas that relate to the professions after completion of an educational or training course. In most cases, people develop necessary experience through work placements after completing a degree course in any of these professions. However, there are other means of gaining experience in software engineering and project engineering such as internships, voluntary work, and summer contacts in this sector. Similar to other professions, employment in these fields requires relevant work experience in addition to academic qualifications. Employers are not only looking for candidates with necessary educational qualifications but are also looking for those with favorable relevant work experience.

Revamping an In-house Developed Application

As previously mentioned, working as a software engineer is among the most popular professions in the field of Information Technology. For an individual to get a job in this profession, he/she needs to have a degree in any IT-related course of subject. Generally, the individual should have knowledge in software engineering, software development, computer science, business information systems, and information technology. The most common responsibilities of a software engineer include installation of programs, handling software compatibility issues, writing operational documentation, ensuring program functionality and usability, and maintaining programs.

My experience in working as a software engineer involved carrying out a software development project. The focus of this job involved revamping an in-house developed application in order to enhance the functionality and usability of the program. This responsibility demonstrated the fact that many software projects fail due to various factors including poor execution and functionality of developed applications. Therefore, revamping the application would help ensure the specific organization or institution enhances effectiveness of its programs through improved functionality.

The effective execution of this project requires several qualifications such as enhancements of existing software and implementation of bug fixes to ensure proper software engineering practices are adhered to in order to maintain control of computer systems. This project also required conducting periodic assessment and enforcing Information Security control measures and directing the design, development, and implementation of software applications. Revamping the in-house developed application also required skills on how to direct installation, integration, testing, and eventual maintenance of software and system.

Size and Complexity of the Project

The in-house developed application that required an overhaul was an enterprise application that was developed to evaluate a registry and listing system for suppliers. This application was to be utilized by various suppliers for the organization given the different products and services provided by the company. By developing the enterprise application, the business organization sought to ensure that the materials provided by the suppliers would meet the requirements and help in the eventual production of high-quality goods. Moreover, through this application, the company would ensure that raw materials provided by suppliers would meet the relevant legal requirements. Therefore, suppliers would be required to register and list their products by providing relevant details upon delivery. The organization would then scrutinize each of these materials through the registry and listing system.

In order to achieve these goals, the organization's IT department developed an in-house application for registry and listing. While this was a crucial step towards enhancing the quality of the organization's products and/or services, the application has not delivered desired goals and objectives. It has been characterized by numerous functionality issues as evidenced in suppliers' complaints. Suppliers have also complained that the application is time-consuming and has various functionality issues that hinder timely and effective delivery of raw materials. As a result, the organization sought to revamp this enterprise application for improved functionality and usability.

The process of revamping this application entailed examining source code editors and compilers as well as testing and previewing the program. This involved developing easy-to-use components and identifying effective connectors to access enterprise data. An IT infrastructure that supports the connections and provides various services like user authentication, offline support, security, syncing data, and network connectivity was also required. Moreover, the revamping required creating an infrastructure that can easily integrate services for access management and control of enterprise mobility.

Degree of Responsibility

The degree of responsibility for this overhaul project of in-house developed application involved examining the functionality and usability of the existing enterprise application. In this case, the focus would be to determine whether the application was easy to use and had simplified user interface components. The second aspect entailed making necessary improvements to the existing application in order to develop a new application that meet the desired objectives for the organization. Third, a review of Information Security control measures on the control computer systems and implementation of bug fixes was necessary.

As a software engineer, my major responsibility was to guide the installation, integration, testing, and eventual maintenance of the application. This was a major responsibility that would help ensure that the new application meets the acceptance criteria and comply with specifications provided by the organization. In essence, my work as a software engineer in this project was to help design, develop and test the application and system in order to ensure it works more effectively. This would be determined by its functionality and usability by suppliers upon completion of the overhaul process.

EMS SCADA System Replacement

Working as a project engineer is also a popular profession in the field of Information Technology since it entails utilizing knowledge and skills in IT-related courses. Project engineers are generally mandated with the task of handling all engineering and technical disciplines relating to a specific project. As a result, these professionals are involved in scheduling, planning, forecasting, resourcing, and supervising technical activities that help in successful completion of a project. Generally, working as a project engineer involves handling various project management aspects from the beginning to the completion of the project.

My work as a project engineer involved replacement of EMS SCADA system given the strategic importance of this system in the modern utility business environment. This task required skills on conducting daily operations of the EMS SCADA system for improved reliability and high availability of services. The task also required skills on risk assessment and mitigation measures, project management, and cyber protection security measures.

Size and Complexity of the Project

This project entailed replacing the current system with a state-of-the-art EMS SCADA system in order to meet the needs of strategic system automation and control. In essence, the main focus on this replacement project was to establish an open, state-of-the-art and high performance system with the ability to automate utilities. This project was initiated on the premise that the current system does not support automated utilities. The recent developments in the utility business environment have contributed to the need for enhanced automation and control of utilities in order to achieve improved effectiveness and competitiveness. Therefore, organizations in today's utility business environment are increasingly looking for effective solutions that would help meet the strategic system automation and control needs. Through this EMS SCADA system replacement project, the organization will enhance its ability to maintain and enhance its operational performance.

Given its scope in establishing a state-of-the-art system for improved operational performance, EMS SCADA system replacement project is increasingly complex. One of the complexities of this project is the fact that the planning, procurement, and execution of utility systems is usually a multi-faceted process characterized by numerous technical requirements. Secondly, the project required design and development of utilities that meet the crucial time schedules as part of fast-track procurement and execution services. Third, the development of a state-of-the-art EMS SCADA system at reduced costs is relatively difficult because of the huge costs of development and implementation.

Degree of Responsibility

As a project engineer, this project for replacing EMS SCADA system was not only complex but also has several responsibilities. First, the project management was mandated with the task of working with varying aspects of the EMS SCADA system and business operations. Secondly, the project manager needed to have constant and latest knowledge of vendors of these systems and related third-party products. This was a major responsibility because of the increased development of various kinds of EMS SCADA systems. Third, the project manager worked with different modern communication protocols and technologies as well as project management tools.

The other responsibilities of this project related to the requirements for project engineers based on academic qualifications. In this case, the project engineer conducted daily operations of the system to ensure safety, reliability, and efficient functioning of the network. This involved daily interactions with clients, interpretation of their needs, and representing them in the execution of the project. Secondly, the project engineer provided necessary project management support to control the project. This responsibility incorporated assigning responsibilities, cooperation with relevant stakeholders, and preparing, coordinating, and monitoring the project. Third, regular risk assessment for the system was carried out to ensure establishment of effective risk mitigation initiatives and establishment of proper cyber security protection initiatives.

Special Technical and Non-technical Problems

EMS SCADA system replacement project was characterized by some technical problems including numerous technical requirements and activities that increased the complexity of the project. Some of these complex technical activities include establishment of advanced transmission applications and development of suitable transmission and delivery lines. Secondly, identifying appropriate crucial time schedules for quick procurements and implementation of services was difficult. Third, conducting a system upgrade was characterized by numerous functionality issues that required constant improvement. On the contrary, the non-technical issues encountered in this project include high costs of implementation given that the existing state-of-the-art EMS SCADA systems are relatively expensive. Secondly, the project engineer experienced challenges in balancing interactions with clients and handling the varying aspects of system upgrade and replacement.

These special technical and non-technical problems during replacement of EMS SCADA system were handled through constant review of engineering deliverables and establishment of suitable corrective actions. Moreover, the project engineer enhanced cooperation with relevant stakeholders and participants in the project, evaluated compliance and performance standards, analyzed the cost of existing systems before commencement of the project, and assigned responsibilities to the various participants.

There were some major achievements in this project including the eventual establishment of a state-of-the-art EMS SCADA system that supported high-performance automation solutions. Secondly, the project helped in understanding the difference between the roles and responsibilities of a software engineer and a project engineer. Third, the project engineer understood the significance of incorporating various participants and stakeholders when completing a project. Fourth, the project helped in identifying suitable practices towards creation of procurement procedures that fit an organization's needs, time limits, and financial considerations when conducting a project.