GridPP PMB Minutes 11 - 19th November 2001 ========================================== Present: Dave Britton (DB), Nick Brook (NB), Pete Clarke (PC), Tony Doyle (TD) Steve Lloyd (SLL), Robin Middleton (RPM) Could not connect: Roger Barlow (RB) VC Connections -------------- There were problems connecting and we had to use a backup MCU (128.40.64.25) and lost 15 mins of the meeting plus RB. PC suggested that we couldn't go on like this and needed to take some action. Possibilities are to buy a HEP MCU for UCL to operate (as agreed previously by CNAP) or to try and organise something through RAL. Administrative Assistant - TD ----------------------------- TD Reported that an advert has been drafted with David Saxon. The post will end at the end of August 2004. The post holder will report to TD with a line of responsibility through David Saxon to University of Glasgow. Review of Actions ----------------- 1.11 PC & DB: Project Management Tools. PC is writing down a suggested procedure for TC meetings. This is progressing well. The next step is to put application milestones on a project chart. RPM said that Steve Fisher has looked at xproject in some depth but decided to use Microsoft Project (although he is no fan of MS). We need to provide 6 monthly technical reports to the Oversight Committee, the first being due in December. TD proposed using DataGrid reports though RPM said that these were rather sketchy so far and we could not just take what he (RPM) has already. Also these are internal EDG documents and we would have to extract the UK bits. NEW ACTION: RPM to report back UK EDG work by 5th Dec. NEW ACTION: PC to propose reporting mechanism by 5th Dec. 5.7 PC: List of names of TB. This is in the document that PC is working on. TD said that the TB is a forum for discussion not a committee. The only committee is the PMB. There was a long discussion of the role of the TB. TD sees it as technically coordinating work across work packages. It was agreed that the TB is a forum for technical discussion but PC also sees it as key to project monitoring as the members would have the required technical knowledge. Other issues such as resources would be flagged for discussion by the PMB. RPM supported PC in the need for tighter monitoring by the TB and was worried that the effort from the new 15 jobs might disappear. NB disagreed saying they would be clearly visible because of their roles in e.g. BaBar and LHC Experiments. TD saw a problem with the TB judging others. PC asserted that the technical problems would be worked out one to one and not in 3 monthly meetings. It was agreed that PC would continue writing his document (hopefully ready by next Monday) and we would wait for that before discussing the role of the TB further. Suggestions for membership of the TB would be in the document. 6.2 JCG: H/W specs to EB. This was done. 9.1 TD/JCG/PC: Definition of high level deliverables: annual & quarterly TD has a draft document. This will be circulated to PC/JCG by Wednesday. 9.2 TD: to contact Ken Peach on RAL deliverables and objectives for GridPP existing effort from PPD & ITD (i) for this year 7 (ii) for longer term. TD has sent the request to Ken but as yet there has been no response (RPM stated that Ken was only got back to the Lab today). 9.3 RB: to submit the BaBar UK Tier A proposal to PMB for discussion before final submission. Not yet done? 10.1 ALL: to provide input for discussion of format of documents required by the Oversight Committee. DB has ideas about resource reporting. We need to think about DataGrid. Matters Arising --------------- TD reported that he was at a NeSc meeting this morning. He also is thinking about a 2 page strategic vision/SWOT analysis for the Oversight Committee. They want timescales, reports on progress, financial statements and will meet twice a year. RPM reported that the WP5 recovery plan has been sent to EDG. Fab says it is a credible plan and suggests putting it into the EU report. RPM reported that RAL job interviews are being held on Monday/Tuesday next week. TD requested that the spreadsheet of jobs be updated. SLL suggested we need this before the 7th December. TD stated that the e-Science studentships should be added for completeness. Ultimately this will all be on the Web and Andrew McNab and SLL are discussing the details. NEW ACTION: TD to supply RPM with names of e-Science students. NEW ACTION: RPM to update jobs spreadsheet before PRSC mtg. on 7th Dec. Actions (17/11/01) ------------------ 1.11 PC & DB: Project Management Tools. First versions required prior to Oversight Committee Meeting. 5.7 PC: List of names of TB. Will be in PC document. 9.1 TD/JCG/PC: Definition of high level deliverables: annual & quarterly. TD has draft document. 9.2 TD: to contact Ken Peach on RAL deliverables and objectives for GridPP existing effort from PPD & ITD (i) for this year 7 (ii) for longer term. Awaiting reply from Ken Peach. 9.3 RB: to submit the BaBar UK Tier A proposal to PMB for discussion before final submission. 10.1 ALL: to provide input for discussion of format of documents required by the Oversight Committee. 11.1 RPM: to report back UK EDG work by 5th Dec. 11.2 PC: to propose TC reporting mechanism by 5th Dec. 11.3 TD: to supply RPM with names of e-Science students. 11.4 RPM: to update jobs spreadsheet before PRSC mtg. on 7th Dec.