Further experience with an integrated project support environment (IPSE)

A brief overview is given of BTRL involvement in IPSE (integrated project support environment) technology. Experiences with the development, introduction, use and support of the initial first-generation IPSE are outlined. A discussion is presented of the work on second-generation IPSEs. The authors´ experiences in this area are mainly related to the developmental exercise and the associated requirements-capture exercise. A major point addressed is whether it is possible or sensible to provide a complete IPSE, or whether one should instead provide a generic framework which can then be tailored to the needs of the user organizations and enhanced at minimal cost. This latter approach results in a rather different view of an ideal IPSE. Some advise is offered on how to select, tailor and operate an IPSE