April 26, 2022
Interview with Alicia Taylor, EdD
Project & Planning Analyst / Axient Corporation (Quantitech, Inc.)
Program Executive Office, Aviation Engineering / G10 - Huntsville, Alabama
Q: What is your (new) role with PEO Aviation, and which of the FACE™ Consortium groups do you currently participate in/support? Which ones have you supported in the past?
A: In October 2021, I moved from US Army PEO Aviation MOSA Transformation Office to PEO Aviation System Engineering where I support Digital Engineering (DE) and Model-based System Engineering (MBSE). I do some of the same things I have been doing for the FACE Consortium such as: coordinate training, prepare presentations, answer questions, improve the website, and eliminate barriers to understanding. Over the years I gained a basic understanding of modeling but it was not until I started supporting DE and MBSE that I realized how modeling can and should be used throughout the design, development, and lifecycle phases to integrate data (i.e. link information). As well as support interoperability, affordability, and all those other “ility” words we use. I have gained a better understanding of how DE/MBSE can be used to address the five MOSA principles. For example, MBSE provides the enabling environment and the modular design. DE and MOSA work together as key pieces of the acquisition puzzle.
Over the past 6½ years, I have been involved with almost every aspect of the FACE Consortium, i.e. Business Working Group (BWG), BWG Outreach, Course Accreditation, Integration Workshop (IWS), Enterprise Architecture (EA), EA Airworthiness, FACE CCB, International Status Tiger Team, Conformance Test Suite (CTS) Open Standards Team, Steering Committee, and Technical Working Group Standards/CCB. There have been many accomplishments by each of the working groups and teams but recommending that membership be opened to international participants, and the creation of the FACE Course Accreditation program, are two very important recent accomplishments. The Course Accreditation Program is going to help people not only understand the technical requirements, but also how to use those requirements to build code, develop models, write contracts, complete the Conformance Program, and other things. Opening up membership to international participants is going to have a huge impact on what we do and how we are viewed internationally.
At the end of April 2022, I rotated off as the Chair of the IWS, and PEO Aviation is working to replace me on the Steering Committee. While I enjoy supporting DE/MBSE the one thing that has surprised me the most is how much I miss supporting all the working groups within the FACE Consortium. I knew I would miss the people, working with each of you, but I miss the work of the Consortium. I truly believe in the work of the FACE Consortium.
Q: Would you give an overview of what IWS does and accomplishments in the past year.
A: The IWS Charter is to:
- Collaborate with the BWG/TWG to establish and enforce technical entrance criteria for public FACE Consortium sanctioned Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM) and similar events
- Discover, evaluate, and produce FACE reference implementation examples and facilitate adoption and publication of those reference examples
We help software developers, integrators, and others get started in developing and integrating code designed to meet the requirements of the FACE Technical Standard; try to remove any barriers; provide opportunities for organizations to work together to showcase integrated Units of Conformance (UOC)s; and promote adoption of the FACE Technical Standard.
We have had a number of accomplishments these last 12 months which include:
- Improving the website by adding “Ask a Question” buttons in several places, Organizing the Documents & Tools section as a suite of documents under each Technical Standard, Editions 2.0 to 3.1, and Recommend ways to improve the Third-Party Tools section of website
- Updated BALSA (Basic Avionics Lightweight Source Archetype).
- Coordinating BALSA and Conformance Test Suite (CTS) 3.0/3.1 Training
- Published the Software Supplier Getting Started Guide, 3.x
- Planned the BITS Event which is coming in June 2022
- Highlight FACE Consortium Document on quarterly basis: RIG is the first document, then Data Architecture Overview and other webinars.
The IWS is responsible for coordinating the FACE Consortium Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) papers for the September 2022 event. We need papers and readers to review those papers. If you missed information on how to submit, contact Lauren Rousseau asap so you don’t miss this opportunity.
Q. With the FACE Consortium about to celebrate its 12th year, do you see (new or other) opportunities beyond current activities that may help accelerate adoption of the FACE Technical Standard, in a broad sense?
A. People tend to pushback on anything new. When the FACE Approach was developed, the rumor was that it was too complicated or too difficult to implement. As the Technical Standard and FACE Work Products matured, people started to realize the benefits of adopting open standards. Departent of Defense (DoD) is placing a greater emphasis on implementing open standards (FACE, SOSA, HOST, Victory, etc.) and industry is also seeing the benefits not just in contracts, but in how software is developed.
I believe that we as members of the FACE Consortium have to continue telling our “good news” story about the benefits of using the FACE Technical Standard. Opening up to international participation will have multiple benefits to not only our current membership organizations who have international offices, it will allow greater participation and promote cooperation and synergy.
I believe we are going to have to look closely at how technology is transforming the way code is developed, automated, and integrated. Digital Engineering and Model based System Engineering are increasing the use of models and linking data together through those models to promote better collaboration. Our tool vendors are already taking advantage of some of those innovations by auto generating code and supporting the conformance process.
Q: Changing gears, we’ve been hearing about the BITs event for the in-person June F2F. How does the BITS event enlighten or help Consortium members?
A: The BALSA Integration and Test Session (BITS) event is a technical integration event designed for Software Suppliers (developers, integrators, engineers, etc.). It provides opportunities for developers to “practice” integrating multiple UoCs in a safe environment, and it has developed into much more than simple integration. Some of the integrations are very complex and use multiple open standards to integration software, hardware, sensors, and more. Those who do not have a lot of experience with modeling must supply a data model and ensure that it passes the CTS. The BITS Event is not a trade show or marketing event. It is designed as a learning experience to showcase functioning UoCs with BALSA or other software and to promote interoperability and portability. More importantly, it promotes the exchange of ideas and helps to evolve the FACE Consortium work products.
Q: What recommendations or advice would you share for new members to gain the greatest ROI from the FACE Consortium?
A: The first FACE Consortium meeting I ever attended was in December 2015. I remember I was so lost. I did not even know enough to ask a question. I remember attending something called FACE 101 and even felt lost in the introductory overview. It felt like drinking from a fire hose. I tried reading the Technical Standard and the RIG - nothing really made sense. Fortunately Terry Carlson, Joe Carter, and others answered my questions and gave me the support I needed to increase my knowledge level. Over the years I have tried to use that experience in shaping how the IWS and the FACE Consortium supports new members, educates our members, and removes barriers. The FACE Consortium now has Overviews covering Business, Technical, Data Architecture, and Conformance. There is a Getting Started section on the external website. There are Getting Started Guides for Software Suppliers and Integrators. YouTube videos contain information about the CTS, BALSA, and much more. Plus, there are many other supporting resources.
My advice to new members includes four recommendations: 1) Take advantage of the available resources and become familiar with them; 2) Ask lots of questions; 3) Get involved; and 4) Share your ideas and opinions. This is a consortium and it takes all of us working together. We all have strengths! You are an important piece of the puzzle for continuing to make the FACE Consortium successful!