RE: [legalxml-ms] Recruitment of consultant(s) to draft specifications

John,

 

In 
issuing this recruitment I think you may have at least indirectly addressed some 
of the concerns listed in my posting of August 10th (included below): 
"Technical Writer" is now "Consultant," and any time frames for deliverables 
have been deleted. Since I (and the TC, for that matter) don't have the benefit 
of a formal response to my concerns, I don't know whether to think of these 
changes as "fixes" or "patches."

 

For 
the record, I remain particularly concerned about the consequences of incomplete 
requirements (item 3 in my posting), and the implied commitments regarding TC 
activities or deliverables (item 2) in light of past performance. I don't know 
if other members of the TC share these concerns, but as this course is being 
taken in the name of the Member Section and thus the TC, I believe it's 
incumbent upon the co-chairs to address them. Also, I would very much appreciate 
knowing what the candidate selection criteria will be.

 

Mind you, I am not arguing that obtaining 
outside or paid help is something the TC shouldn't do, only that we should 
make every effort to do it right. It may be our last shot. 

 

TJS

 

Tom 
Smith

AVI/ITDecision

 



650.591.1795 (Ofc)

650.346.7689 (Mobile)

650.591.1425 
(Fax)

 

-----Original Message-----
From: T J Smith 
[mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 10:56 
AM
To: John Greacen; Electronic Court Filing Technical 
Committeee
Subject: RE: [legalxml-courtfiling] Attached technical 
writer statement of work

As I 
mentioned during today's call, I have the following problems with the Technical 
Writer Statement of Work.

 

  
The 
  nature of the work to be completed far exceeds the role of a Technical Writer. 
  A Tech Writer ("scribe") is undoubtedly needed for a project of this scope, 
  but it will also require an architect, designer, or someone with a 
  broader grasp of the technology (which I note isn't specified) and how it can 
  be applied to the business problem. 
  
The 
  deliverables described in the SOW are dependent on things to be produced 
  by the TC (see for instance tasks 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3b). I suggest the TC 
  deliver these things before hiring anyone because (1) they are 
  essentially on the critical path for the project, so any delays will affect 
  project deadlines, (2) many of them should probably be reviewed and approved 
  by the TC as a whole, and (3) they could be useful in screening 
  candidates. 
  
The 
  SOW speaks of consolidating use cases, but by themselves use cases do not 
  constitute the formal requirements that I suggest are appropriate for a 
  project of this significance - which, after all, hopes to produce a national 
  standard. A requirements document normally specifies many things that aren't 
  made explicit by use cases. 
  
The 
  scope of the project's deliverables isn't clear: I assume it includes Filing 
  and some sort of Confirmation, but does it also include Policy, 
  Query-Response, or an API? 
  
Given 
  the above, I suspect the time frames are unrealistic.

TJS

  
-----Original Message-----
From: John Greacen 
  [mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 6:54 
  PM
To: 
Cc: 
  
Subject: [legalxml-ms] Recruitment of 
  consultant(s) to draft specifications

  

  
Dear colleagues – The LegalXML 
  Member Section Steering Committee – with the concurrence of OASIS management – 
  has decided to procure the services of a consultant or consultants to move our 
  specification development process forward at a faster rate.  In the past 
  when a participating organization was able to devote a staff member’s time to 
  assisting a technical committee in developing a specification, the process 
  moved with considerable speed.  

  
 

  
I attach a request for proposals 
  for serving as a consultant to the Member Section.  I invite any member 
  of the LegalXML Member Section to apply for this position.  I also invite 
  you to post the request for proposals on sites or lists where it may attract 
  the attention of interested and qualified persons, or to refer it to friends, 
  colleagues or acquaintances who may be interested and able to assist the 
  Member Section.

  
 

  
Proposals are due on or before 
  August 27th.

  
 

  
Thank you for your assistance in 
  this recruitment process.

  
 

  
 

  
 

  
John M. 
  Greacen

  
Greacen Associates, 
  LLC

  
HCR 78, Box 
  23

  
Regina, New Mexico 
  87046

  
505-289-2164

  
505-289-2163 
  (fax)

  
505-780-1450 
  (cell)