Software Development and Maintenance for the Joint Operations Planning and Execution System (JOPES)

SCOPE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Under a number of contracts since 1998, Pragmatics has been providing full system and software development life cycle support for the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES). JOPES is a very complex family of mission-critical, enterprise-wide and specialized applications used by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, operational forces, military services and supporting agencies for deployment planning and execution. JOPES consists of more than 30 different applications that include legacy and more modern client-server and web-enabled applications.

The current system of record, commonly referred to as “Classic JOPES” contained more than 4 million lines of code in 1998. Pragmatics developed new applications in a rapid prototype mode using the assistance of Joint Staff assigned Subject Matter Experts. These applications were more intuitive and functional, contained expanded help and web-based tutorials, and won great customer acceptance. The fielding of these applications allowed the retirement of four legacy systems. Functionality from various applications was also consolidated into few applications during this period further reducing the lines of code totals.

For the next generation of JOPES, called JOPES 21 by the Joint Staff, the best of the Classic JOPES functionality is being migrated to the new environment. This migration includes more web-enabled functionality, enhanced security features, more tightly integrated applications (the ability to move from editing to reporting or reporting to editing on the same records from within either the editing or reporting application); more consolidation of functionality into fewer applications, and a more robust and accessible audit capability using the standard reporting tool.

For the longer-term, JOPES is moving towards a Network Centric Enterprise Services (NCES) environment, which will be part of the Joint Command and Control (JC2) system. NCES and JC2 will utilize a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) where data providers easily post information that data consumers easily discover and consume, thereby providing greater interoperability among owners and consumers of data. As part of this effort, the Force Projection NCES architecture and a Force Projection transition plan have been developed. As part of the plan various services prototypes have been developed, security issues resolved, and JOPES functionality is being migrated into J2EE applications. New techniques such as agile development, pair programming, continuous integration, and automated test tools have been implemented for both software development and maintenance.

DELIVERING QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE: Pragmatics has constantly and successfully adapted to changes in customer requirements stemming from operational, programmatic, or other factors. In an evaluation of Pragmatics’ performance, our JOPES client stated: “the contractor has met all significant milestones and delivery dates even when we have accelerated our schedule.”

Pragmatics has successfully delivered more than 220 segments and over 1,000 other deliverables. As part of that process, over 660 Classic JOPES and more than 300 JOPES 21 government problem reports and change requests have been closed along with more than 800 internally generated problem reports. JOPES user requirements are being met and applications are being delivered on time and within budget. The prototype applications Pragmatics developed to replace the legacy applications have become the JOPES standard for look and feel. Users now have reduced training times and greater proficiency with the JOPES system, thanks to our intuitive GUIs and embedded training/help functions. Over two million lines of legacy code have been retired, leading to much more cost-effective maintenance of JOPES. Classic JOPES has successfully supported the deployments and operations in support of Afghanistan, Iraq and the Tsunami relief, as well as the many other deployment activities of the past several years.

TECHNOLOGY: JOPES development and maintenance has dealt with many languages (including JAVA, ADA, HTML, Scripts (C-, Korn-, Borne-shell), TCL/TK, C++, Perl, Javascripts, SQL+, Screen Machine, Oracle Forms, Cold Fusion, BEA WebLogic, iPlanet, and Go Global), multiple operating systems (HP UNIX 10.20, Solaris version 2.5.1, to 8, and Windows NT, 2000, XP), and two versions of Oracle (7.3 and 8i).

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