SCD | Visualization | VEG
Re-Defining the Position
The role of VEG Technical Program Manager is complicated and very necesary. Yet how do we define their responsibilities? Lets begin by deconstructing first the Group as a whole and in it's parts. Then let's deconstruct the position and its relationship to the Group and NCSA.VEG - Virtual Environments Group
VEG is a very high profile and high impact player at NCSA. It provides a showcase for the output of NCSA'a main enterprise the Origin200 supercomputer and the entire "grid" plan of networking similar platforms across the nation. The CAVE virtual environments have many important purposes in the new infrastructure NCSA is creating. The immediate purpose is the CAVE's ability to "wow" the viewer. The CAVE is the primary tool of NCSA'a ability to demonstrate their goals and is used frequently to attract customers. VEG is divided into 3 divisions; Vitual Environments, Audio and Media.Virtual Environments - VE
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VE maintains the third
floor VE systems (the CAVE, NL and REL). By creating a stable
hardware environment, these facilities can be used by
NCSA, Industrial Partners, The Beckman Institute, the University
and last but certainly not least the Alliance Partners.
There are numerous uses for the VE facilities. They are
used for the demonstrating and the showcasing of what NCSA
is capable of doing. They are used for research and
visualization of calculations outputed from the Origin2000
supercomputer. And, they are used for training purposes.
VE can be thought of as hardware and software support for
virtual environments at NCSA and for the Alliance.
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ADG is an integral part of the software support of
virtual environments at NCSA. The sonification of data
maximises the potential of the CAVE virtual environments.
The ADG web pages at: http://cage.ncsa.uiuc.edu/adg/
show the extent of work this well established and highly
motivated group is doing. The four key components of the
ADG are; Sonification, Virtual Reality Research, Composition and
Performance and the NCSA Sound Server (VSS).
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Media has had a long and varied tradition at NCSA. By
incorporating Media into VEG, the definition of this group is
at an important crossroads from creator and distributor of analog
video to digital incorporation into virtual environment
systems. Digital video is a major part of virtual environments.
The use of stereo video incorprated into visualization
applications is a primary tool for establishing collaborative
presence. Digital video expands the end-product of the virtual
environment by opening up a wide range of broadcast scenarios.
VEG - Technical Program Manager
The position of Technical Program Manager for this group will handle a wide variety of managerial tasks. This position will deal with administrative details, provide direction for services and research, and coordinate vision within the NCSA budgetary constraints. For now let's try to answer the following questions:- What is the mission statement?
- What is the way to manage this group?
- What are important things to see NOT changed?
- What are important things to see changed?
- What are the major thrusts and objectives of this group?
What is the mission statement?
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The NCSA Virtual Environments Group seeks to advance
the use of virtual environments among our academic users
and Industrial Partners. As part of the Scientific Computing
Division, we provide state-of-the-art facilities for virtual
reality, offer a variety of training opportunities, and
maintain an on-line repository of information about virtual
environments. We also work with users towards solutions to
new visualization problems for virtual environments.
Through virtual reality, interactive visualization and
user training, the Virtual Environments Group helps scientists see,
understand and explain their results.
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The way to manage this group is by creating a
system of Division Heads(DH) which manage and control the
day to day activities of the divisions. The DH's
are in turn responsible to and work with the VEG
Manager. The VEG Manager is responsible for organising
the future vision and direction of the Group. This is accomplished
by consulting with the DH's
and other members of the Group. The Manager is then responsible
for communicating this vision to NCSA and work with the center
to define a vision and direction which is in line with the center's needs.
The Manager is then responsible
for comunicating this vision and incorporating the direction NCSA
has for the Group to the members of Group. The DH's then take
this vision and make it a reality. The manager shelters the
division heads from the administrative details of budget
and center politics in order that their implementation efforts
are not sidetracked.
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It is important to stay on track with the current
vision and direction.
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It is equally important not to change the relationship of project ownership current in the system. By owning a project, people are much more responsible for and invested in the culmination of a project. By empowering the members of the group with the responsibility of a projects outcome, a higher quality product will ensue.
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By incorporating techniques of timeline management,
some projects could be finalized quicker and more
efficiently.
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An intranet documentation system needs development to handle support issues and facilities maintenance.
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Communication always needs improvement.
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The Video Streaming Initiative is a major thrust of this
group. Video Streaming needs to be woven into the
fabric of virtual environment facilities so that broadcasting
or documentation of virtual environment use is effortless.
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The training and support of Alliance Partners in the fluent use of virtual environment systems.
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Preperation for and implementation of NCSA conference virtual reality visualization needs.
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
tcoffin@ncsa.uiuc.edu