CORE BUSINESS

Virtualization

At Knowledge Link, we solve virtualization challenges.  The benefits of implementing virtualization in the infrastructure are well documented.  They include:

• Server consolidation cost reduction via aggregation

• Environmental efficiency through server consolidation

• Improved security through isolation

• Improved application availability, and

• The ability to dynamically respond to business changes.

But, virtualization is such a broad term.  Does virtualization apply to the server infrastructure, storage, networks, or applications?  Which one makes the most sense for your agency?  Which approach will provide the biggest bang for my agency? 

That’s where Knowledge Link will help.  Our Engineers are experienced in the finer aspects of virtualization with expertise in storage, server, and network virtualization.  Traditionally, data centers segment work into server, storage and network operations.  A virtualized solution blurs these segmented areas.   Virtualization solutions touch every aspect of the data center, requiring a broad and deep set of skills across all disciplines.  And Knowledge Link has the experience to handle the nuances of security in a virtualized world.  After all, we have Information Technology expertise supporting the US intelligence community for decades.

Software Development and Support

At Knowledge Link, we build software for clients in the Intelligence Community to solve their complex problems and serve their changing needs. Rarely are traditional software development processes suited to this work. Instead, Knowledge Link uses new “Agile” techniques for software development to iteratively develop software quickly and successfully.

Agile software development strives to break down software development into small pieces which can be accomplished quickly.   As each piece of the software is completed, it is evaluated.  If any piece is found wanting, it is sent back for more work.   When all the pieces are done, the software is done – successfully.

Scrum is one of the new Agile software development methods that Knowledge Link recommends. 

Many Knowledge Link personnel are ScrumMaster-Certified Developers.  We recommend the Scrum software development methodology for dealing with complex problems and changing needs.  In these situations, Scrum results in significant time and cost savings whether developing software from scratch or modifying existing COTS/GOTS programs for a client.

Requirements Analysis

Knowledge Link approaches requirements analysis with the basic question:  What is the software, product, or project supposed to do (or accomplish)?  The Knowledge Link Requirements Analyst then proceeds to:

• Enumerate functional specifications

• Reconcile differences among individuals and stakeholders

• Translate the wants of prospective users into technical specifications for the project team

• Prepare cost estimates

• Reconcile wants with resources available   

In enumerating all the functional specs, the Knowledge Link Requirements Analysis asks clients and stakeholders to articulate use cases or scenarios.  A use case is a narrative that describes how the software, product, or project should behave or perform in different circumstances from different perspectives.  All the different stakeholders should be represented.  Unlikely as well as likely scenarios should be considered.  The requirements analyst then culls functional specifications from the use cases. 

Business Process Re-Engineering and Knowledge Management

Business process re-engineering deals with the question: How can the client improve quality and/or reduce costs by applying information technology, i.e., automating business processes? 

Knowledge Management deals with the related question:  How can the client get the right information (knowledge) into the hands of its line personnel at the right time and place?

In both cases, we are looking to improve the way the client uses information technology in order to improve results. 

Some of the technologies that can be applied to improve business processes and knowledge management are as follows:

• Quality and performance monitoring and reporting systems

• Executive dashboards, expert systems, online analytical processing (OLAP)

• Statistical process control,

• E-mail reminders,

• Text message alerts, etc. 

In many cases, however, change is threatening to the client's stakeholders.  Without stakeholders buy-in, it is often difficult to achieve the expected benefits of change. 

Starting with a blank sheet of paper and redesigning a business process from scratch is likely to result in dramatic changes and increased risk.  Incremental changes to existing business processes often provide more certain rewards.   One of the benefits of the Agile development process is that stakeholder buy-in is built through the process, enabling more dramatic changes to occur successfully.

Systems Integration/Engineering

Every integration/engineering project that Knowledge Link does, Agile or traditional, employs a three-stage approach:

• System design and development

• Testing

• Implementation and deployment

Each stage has multiple steps, which differ depending upon whether the project is an Scrum/Agile or a traditional project. 

To design and implement complex systems in fast-moving, operating environments, an iterative, Scrum/Agile approach may be best.  In such cases, it is critical at the outset to select the right people to work on the project, provide the team with a guiding vision, and facilitate communication and teamwork.

In the context of mature technologies and stable operating environments, a traditional integration/ engineering effort may be best. In such cases, careful, thorough planning is required at the beginning to design and implement complex systems successfully.

In any case, the goal is to enter the implementation and deployment stage leaving nothing to chance and avoiding all surprises. 

Independent Verification and Validation

Independent verification and validation (IV&V) consulting engagements serve to provide clients with an independent, objective perspective regarding large-scale systems development programs. 

There are many risks that large-scale systems development programs entail, such as: 

• Poor planning

• A lack of project management

• Frequent changes in the functional requirements of the system

• Midstream program budget cutbacks and/or personnel changes

• Inadequate testing which fails to detect problems before deployment

• Little or no training for end users about how to use the new system

Knowledge Link, as an expert, independent contractor, can take a quick look and provide an unbiased assessment of where the problems lie and how to fix them.  And if the fixes are too expensive or risky, then the IV&V consulting engagement manager may recommend that the program be modified.

Training Development and Delivery

Knowledge Link has the experience and the tools to provide cost-effective training and documentation for new systems development projects. 

Using industry-standard Instructional Systems Design (ISD) methodology, we provide:

• User assessment

• Training conducted in classrooms, online, and in executive sessions

• Post-training outcomes evaluation. 

Knowledge Link applies ISD in an iterative fashion. Knowledge is transferred early and often in the software development lifecycle.  Knowledge Link workplace learning professionals embed performance-based learning objectives so that metric data can be evaluated on an ongoing basis in instructor-led training, online training, and the use of training materials.  During the training planning process, Knowledge Link is capable of streamlining transfer processes between the training enterprise and the help desk function. 

Training normally seeks to ensure that users have a fundamental understanding of concepts needed to use the system and on-line, just-in-time help and documentation to deal with problems that arise in using the new system.  A help desk that users can call to get answers to specific problems is sometimes needed for a period of time.

Program/Project Management

The Knowledge Link team approaches program/project management with techniques that bring order, control, and accountability to systems programs and projects. 

Depending upon the development and implementation approach, the project management function will apply principles generally accepted in the industry.  For example, the planning, execution, and closedown of projects proceed according to the steps outlined in the Project Management Institutes’ Project Management Workbook   

Knowledge Link project managers and ScrumMasters employ widely recognized tools of project management to minimize project risk and make the results as visible, predictable, and adaptable as possible.

Our team consists of systems architects, systems and software engineers, systems analysts, software developers, test engineers, and training specialists that excel at serving the Intelligence Community. Each of our associates has a requisite skill to successfully serve our client base.