Phase 3 Highlight Report

Progress againsts deliverables

Phase 3 of Fab set out to work on consolidation of the Fab architecture and prepare the ecosystem for opening out to a wider developer pool.

The full phase 3 technical report contains further details.

The aims of the stage were:

Update the project Working Practices so as to allow Fab development to be opened up to selected collaborators at the end of the stage

This has been done, and will evolve as the project progresses. We are learning a lot about git/github as we go, which is a good co-benenfit for the broader programme.

Demonstration of a prototype extraction tool able to fetch from a MOSRS repository using an extensible architecture

Basic svn and git extraction tools have been written. This will support work on the build tool and provide a nice starting point for partner developers.

Demonstration of an extension of the Fab infrastructure to support C code

This is in review and should be merged very soon. It required significantly more effort than expected but has been a very successful exercise in testing/improving the project's design and infrastructure at the right time (not too early, not too late)

Demonstration of an extensible Fab configuration file to enable flexible control of build options

Done and will become very useful very quickly.

Demonstrate support for a second Fortran compiler (stretch)

This was not directly attempted but the work on supporting C code and the extensive changes it precipitated goes a long way to achieving this.

What's going well?

• The team continue to learn how to work together and support each other. Incidental development goals are being achieved
• Technical progress with objectives seemingly helping to drive the overall development rather than hinder it

What could be improved?

• Better situational awareness by the PM, the deficit being caused by juggling many other tasks.
• Competition for resources from other projects.

Risks & Issues

Link to risk and issue page

• Reduce staffing to a risk now that covid-19 impacts have largely passed, and a planned tactical pause during August.
• Addition of a technical/workaround debt section

Staff welfare

Reduced resource and resource redirection around the broader team that delivers to Fab has been challenging to manage. However, various measures have been taken to prevent pushing staff too hard. Pressures external to the project will continue to loom but are being closely watched.

Next Phase

The proposal for phase 4 of Fab is documented on the project plan page. It is summarised as XXXXXX, running to the end of November 2020 and maintaining the same resourcing.