Intake
VA’s Software Factory (SWF) Model integrates advanced tools and innovative methodologies to deliver Better, Faster, and Safer software solutions. This approach enhances services for our Veterans, ensuring a superior software delivery experience aligned with our commitment to The VA Way of software development and delivery. Through the SWF Model, we strive to consistently meet and exceed the needs of those we serve, driving continuous improvement and innovation. The Intake process is crucial as it ensures that all projects are carefully evaluated and aligned with our strategic goals, allowing us to allocate resources effectively and maximize impact.
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Play Decisions
Commodity, Customized Commodity, or Highly Differentiated
NOTE: Deciding on the right play mirrors the act of picking the optimal tool for a job. By aligning the project's needs with the most fitting play, the SWF Model ensures streamlined, effective, and efficient software development, always keeping VA's strategic goals at the forefront.
Intake Resources
Requires VA network access.
Simplifying Software Delivery with a Centralized Intake Process
| Historical Challenges | SWF Solutions |
|---|---|
Fragmented Approach | Centralized Intake Process: Single, consolidated intake process that eliminates confusion and provides efficient pathways for submitting and managing software requests |
Siloed Information | Improved Collaboration and Visibility: Centralized approach fosters collaboration and improves visibility by breaking down information silos |
Slowed Delivery and Limited Agility | Faster and Agile Delivery: SWF leverages existing solutions, such as SaaS and PaaS factories, to accelerate product delivery, reduce development time, and improve agility |
Inability to Quickly Respond to Changing Needs | Modernization and Flexibility: SWF enables the integration of new technologies and capabilities, facilitating modernization efforts and enhancing flexibility to adapt to changing needs |
Inconsistent User Experience | Enhanced User Experience:SWF focuses on delivering value to customers, ensuring a consistent and improved user experience through standardized practices and the adoption of best-in-class tools and technologies |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a list of solutions in your inventory that you look at when you get a software request? If so, is that list public?
The Integrated Intake Team reviews the requirements against the current programs on the VA network and those outside. The input used to provide a play recommendation, not a specific solution, is derived from several repositories: the Software as a Service (SaaS)/Platform as a Service (PaaS) Marketplace, Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products available, and Low Code/No Code (LC/NC) options. There is not one consolidated list available from which to choose play recommendations.
Do customers need to use the Software Product Management (SPM) software intake process now instead of going directly to VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) or VA Platform One (VAPO)?
SPM’s goal is to streamline the intake process for all requests to a single entry point. We are working through the details to provide that consolidated, single front door; however, we have not reached that level of maturity and are focused on new Software Requests only for now. As we continue to fold in the additional IT services, we will update the process as additional services become available through ServiceNow.
Does the Software Factory (SWF) replace SPM teams for delivering and managing products?
Rather than replacing SPM teams for delivering and managing products, the SWF model provides a framework that leverages SPM resources to deliver products using a standardized set of criteria, tools, teaming, processes, and metrics. The SWF strategy seeks to deliver better, faster, and safer software by aligning each SWF to a key play decision and ensuring that the delivery modality is optimized to the user’s needs. SPM teams work within the SWF Model to deliver and manage these products.
