ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
SEDRIS is designed to support the full spectrum of environmental data, as used by a wide range of applications. For the past few years the underlying technology has been used in a variety of programs and applications. And more than twenty organizations have seriously scrutinized the technology from a variety of different and diverse application perspectives. Many interchange experiments, all using real-world data sets, have been conducted. And today many U.S. and international projects, commercial organizations, and government programs are using SEDRIS in their application areas.
During this time, the data representation model, the API, along with the other core components have been improved, and new capabilities, tools, and functionality have been added. The results and lessons learned from use of SEDRIS in various projects, experiments, and tests have been incorporated to refine and enhance the baseline. But for nearly three years the foundations of the SEDRIS technology have not changed, and none of these enhancements have impacted the basic architecture. Yet it is recognized that there is always room for improvements.
Since the start, the development team has believed that improvements can only be realized when there is an open development process. In addition, it has actively sought the involvement and input of experts in developing and scrutinizing the technologies. This is reflected in the design, as well as the development process. One by-product of this approach has been the establishment and use of the SEDRIS change request (SCR) process.
CHANGE REQUESTS, PROBLEM REPORTS
Deficiencies, along with proposed changes or improvements, can be reported by anyone through the SCR process. SCRs are usually preceded by e-mail discussions conducted on the appropriate SEDRIS e-mail reflectors (see the Feedback section at http://www.sedris.org). The reflectors reach a broad audience of users, implementors, and experts who may be able to offer solutions to reported problems. If a solution cannot be identified, then the e-mail discussions are a good way to find the best approach for addressing a given deficiency.
Once a solution or an approach has been identified, a concise description of the problem, along with specific solutions, are formally reported by submitting an SCR. SCR forms can be filled out at the web site and are then sent to the SCR review and configuration control board, in addition to the larger SEDRIS associates team.
The SCR is then formally reviewed, and once approved, it will be implemented and will become part of a subsequent release of SEDRIS.