The Ground Resource Allocation and Planning Environment (GRAPE 1.0) is a Web-based, collaborative team environment based on the Microsoft SharePoint platform, which provides Deep Space Network (DSN) resource planners’ tools and services for sharing information and performing analysis. The foundation platform for GRAPE provides a number of communication and data-management mechanisms, which help planners communicate scheduling issues, including document management, security schemes, calendars, wikis, blogs, lists, issue tracking, discussion forums, work-flow management, alerts/notifications, and configuration management.
Additionally, a set of “web parts” has been developed for DSN resource-allocation-specific analysis, including tools for managing ground asset and mission information; finding configuration codes; displaying, querying, and comparing schedules; analyzing mission coverage; checking for schedule conflicts; creating and submitting schedule change requests; and viewing and validating mission view periods. The methodology of web parts allows individual users to compose their own Web pages by picking the web parts they want to use on a Web page, rather than developers designing Web pages for users. This allows developers to focus more on functionality and less on appearance and integration, while users are empowered to compose Web pages for their immediate analysis and collaboration needs rather than waiting for another long development cycle for some new capability. GRAPE web parts, which connect to existing DSN middle-tier Web services for many computation and data access activities, support Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and component-style development.
This work was done by Yeou-Fang Wang, Mitchell Schrock, John R. Baldwin, and Chester S. Borden of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Team Collaboration Software
(reference NPO-45988) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that discusses the development and implementation of team collaboration software, specifically the Ground Resource Allocation Planning Environment (GRAPE). This software is designed to enhance collaboration among resource planners within NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) by utilizing the Microsoft SharePoint platform.
GRAPE aims to create a secure and controlled environment where team members can not only exchange information but also share analysis models and results. The software integrates various capabilities such as document management, security schemes, calendars, wikis, blogs, lists, progress tracking, discussion forums, workflow management, alerts, and configuration management. These features facilitate a collaborative workspace where users can manage ground asset and mission information, check schedule conflicts, analyze mission coverage, and submit schedule change requests.
The document emphasizes the transition from traditional desktop applications to a web-based collaborative environment, allowing all DSN resource planners to perform analyses and share information in a unified setting. The use of web parts in SharePoint enables developers to focus on functionality rather than appearance, providing users with a customizable interface that adapts to their workflow. This approach promotes a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and component-style development, enhancing the overall user experience.
Additionally, the document highlights the influence of Web 2.0 applications, such as social media platforms, on the design of collaborative tools in business environments. The concept of "socialprise" applications is introduced, which aims to foster team collaboration by providing a common space for knowledge exchange and participation in team success.
The research and development described in the document were conducted under a contract with NASA, and the findings are intended to have broader technological, scientific, and commercial applications. The document also includes contact information for further inquiries related to research and technology in this area.
In summary, this Technical Support Package outlines the innovative GRAPE software as a significant advancement in team collaboration, leveraging modern web technologies to enhance communication, analysis, and resource management within NASA's operational framework.
