USCGAUX Application Development Division
Hibbard Smith, DVC-ID
Division Chief, Application Development
Application Development provides software development services to meet the needs of the Auxiliary, with a primary focus on Internet technologies. Working as a team with the Project Management Office, we build new database-enabled Internet applications, enhance existing applications, modify open source software, and migrate legacy applications to Internet technologies as required.
Division Responsibilities
- Develop new software applications to meet the needs of the Auxiliary.
- Implement changes as required to the Auxiliary's software applications.
- Migrate legacy applications to Internet technologies as required.
- Develop, maintain and control access to Auxiliary National databases.
- Advise and comment on current and long-range technology strategy and Auxiliary technology policies.
- Explore new technologies and concepts as they might apply to Auxiliary software development needs.
- Work closely with the Project Management Office to promote project best practices and agile development methodologies.
Division Projects:
Content coming soon.
Division Branches:
- Desmond Thorsson, BC-IDR, Branch Chief, Research and Development
- Research and Development is engaged in finding,
configuring, testing, and recommending new technologies and applications.
They work closely with the Software Development Branch to make appropriate modifications
and changes to open source software to meet the needs of the Auxiliary.
Branch responsibilities include:
- Research, evaluate, install, and configure existing open source software as needed.
- Research, procure, install, test, and evaluate application development tools.
- Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and tools for Auxiliary implementation.
- Work with Long-term Planning Division to provide strategic technical guidance regarding tools and technologies.
- Understand and investigate new technologies and make recommendations on how they might best be put to good use.
- Act as subject matter experts on evolving electronic media technologies.
- Identify efforts of members throughout the Auxiliary that show promise as solutions now or in the future. Incorporate them, when appropriate, into the R&D plan.
- Research and Development is engaged in finding,
configuring, testing, and recommending new technologies and applications.
They work closely with the Software Development Branch to make appropriate modifications
and changes to open source software to meet the needs of the Auxiliary.
Branch responsibilities include:
- Alex Porven, BC-IDS, Branch Chief, Software Development
- The Software Development Branch provides a pool of
experienced programmers able and willing to support the coding requirements of
the Division. Branch responsibilities include:
- Implement changes as required to the Auxiliary's software applications.
- Develop new software applications to meet the needs of the Auxiliary.
- Migrate legacy applications to Internet technologies as required.
- Manage code fixes, changes, and enhancements to existing applications
- Manage software modifications and enhancements to off-the-shelf, open source software
- Provide programming support to implement functional requirements from Project Management Office (PMO), and to implement interface design requirements from Interface Design Team.
- Assist PMO in developing and maintaining technical documentation.
- Provide input into PMO Division to assist their development of user documentation and training for users.
- The Software Development Branch provides a pool of
experienced programmers able and willing to support the coding requirements of
the Division. Branch responsibilities include:
- OPEN, BC-IDN, Branch Chief, Interface Design
- The Interface Design Branch supports software development by providing
guidance for the development of intuitive, professional, and appropriate
software interfaces. Branch responsibilities include:
- Design the user interface for Auxiliary software applications with concerns for usability and ascetics.
- Work with Web Services Division to incorporate approved Website design elements and templates into applications.
- Work with PMO usability team and testers to develop high quality, intuitive interfaces.
- Ensure Internet applications meet accepted Web accessibility standards.
- Develop the graphics and photography components of all Division software applications.
- Maintain a high level of familiarity with all approved Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary imagery resources.
- Ensure all software projects meet professional standards for visual design.
- The Interface Design Branch supports software development by providing
guidance for the development of intuitive, professional, and appropriate
software interfaces. Branch responsibilities include:
- OPEN, BC-IDD, Branch Chief, Database Services
- The Database Services Branch designs, develops, and
maintains databases that support Auxiliary software applications. Branch responsibilities include:
- Data management experts for National Auxiliary databases.
- Provide database design and SQL support to Software Development Branch.
- Create and maintain efficient, optimized databases.
- Work to improve the design and usefulness of existing National databases.
- Provide ongoing database maintenance and future enhancements in conjunction with the Project Management Office.
- Develop procedures for access to Auxiliary data.
- Implement and manage data security processes and procedures.
- Assist in streamlining database applications in the Auxiliary.
- Promote a strategy that fosters database technology in the Auxiliary.
- Participate in technical review of database and software application designs.
- Provide ad-hoc reporting as needed.
- Monitor activity on the database servers and assist Hosting Services Division with data backup and recovery.
- Provide backup support to Hosting Services Division as needed.
- The Database Services Branch designs, develops, and
maintains databases that support Auxiliary software applications. Branch responsibilities include:
- OPEN, BC-IDI, Branch Chief, Infrastructure Development
- The Infrastructure Development branch supports the
maintenance and code enhancements for existing legacy applications. Branch responsibilities include:
- Perform analysis of code and databases for legacy applications.
- Develop and maintain documentation for legacy applications.
- Manage enhancements and changes to legacy applications.
- Work with Project Management Office to implement conversions of legacy applications to Internet technologies.
- The Infrastructure Development branch supports the
maintenance and code enhancements for existing legacy applications. Branch responsibilities include:
- OPEN, BC-IDT, Branch Chief, Standards
- The Standards Branch provides the structure, best
practices, and processes to ensure a professional, continued, long-term software
development effort. Branch responsibilities include:
- Create standards, guidelines, and best practices for application and database development and technical documentation.
- Manage code repository and versioning processes and tools.
- Maintain Development and Test environments for the Division.
- Develop communication and collaboration tools to support Department technology projects.
- Maintain effective code migration processes from Development, to Test, to Production.
- Maintain a technology environment to develop and test new software products and tools.
- Maintain a call tracking system to manage Application Support requests.
- Review, evaluate and provide input for each new Auxiliary software application for compliance with the Auxiliary Internet Policy.
- Act as subject matter experts on application development standards and methodologies.
- The Standards Branch provides the structure, best
practices, and processes to ensure a professional, continued, long-term software
development effort. Branch responsibilities include:
- OPEN, BC-IDP, Branch Chief, Special Projects
- The Special Projects Branch provides support as needed in
any area of the Division, including working closely with external and cross-departmental
partners. Branch responsibilities include:
- Assist with Division projects as needed.
- Assist with technology projects and Internet services that will support or improve Auxiliary practices in support of our service to the membership, Coast Guard, and our country.
- Assist other Branches with pertinent projects and crossover with duties assigned.
- The Special Projects Branch provides support as needed in
any area of the Division, including working closely with external and cross-departmental
partners. Branch responsibilities include: