Implementation of NBRSS Is on Schedule
Progress is continuing on the implementation of the NIH Business and Research Support System (NBRSS), which includes the NIH Business System (NBS) and the Enterprise Human Resources and Payroll system. Both the NIH business and scientific communities will begin using portions of the NBRSS later this year. Full deployment of this system is scheduled for 2004. See Interface issues 221 (December 17, 2001) and 216 (December 15, 2000).
The current work on the NBS includes:
Business Processes
The design of future NIH business processes is almost finished—development, review, and nearly all approvals have been completed by the NBS Functional Advisory Committees (leaders from the ICs and OD, who oversee the implementation of a specific functional component). Completion of this stage marks the acceptance of the best practices for conducting administrative business at the NIH. The NBS Team now has a clear blueprint of the system’s final structure.Configuration of Oracle Software
The six Functional Teams—financial management, property, travel, acquisition/supply, service and supply fund, and research and development contracts—together with KPMG Consulting (the systems integrator) are currently adapting the Oracle software that will support the new work processes and determining the process variations for testing each one. Testing the Configuration
All configuration decisions will be verified over the course of two pilot testing sessions during which the functional teams and KPMG will configure, test, and make any necessary adjustments to the work processes. Currently, all functional teams are developing test scenarios and scripts to ensure that the Oracle application performs as planned.
First Pilot Session
All six Functional Teams are making preparations for testing individual work processes within their respective business area to make certain that each will function correctly as a unit. Any modification made to a business process will prompt retesting to ensure that the desired results are achieved.
Second Pilot Session
Future testing will ensure that the software effectively integrates all of the NBRSS business functions. At this juncture, Resource Teams (representatives from each IC who serve as advisors to the functional teams) may be asked to participate and provide input.
Interfaces between the various business functions—and between the ADB and NBRSS—will also be tested to verify their effectiveness. In addition, system administration will be tested to evaluate cross-functional integration of workflow, including human resources. Finally, data conversion and interfaces between the NBRSS and ADB will be fully tested using live data when feasible.
First Systems to "Go Live"
EHRP
With implementation targeted for this summer, the EHRP will become the first NBRSS production system. The HHS Program Support Center (PSC) will provide official training to the NIH Community before the system goes “live.”
To get ready, some 280 administrative, supervisory, and managerial staff members from ICs—including NCI in Frederick, Maryland, and NIEHS in North Carolina—have been participating in EHRP system demonstrations given by the EHRP Team. Another 203 human resources personnel have gotten a “feel” for the new system in EHRP/PeopleSoft hands-on workshops, where they could work through sample personnel actions. These workshops are a prelude to the full-scale PSC training later this summer. Financial Management—October 2002
The General Ledger portion of the financial module is scheduled to go “live” this coming October. Some staff from the Office of Financial Management will begin training in August.
Want to Know More?
For information, comments, or questions about the NBRSS project, contact Marina Gregory at gregorym@mail.nih.gov, or visit the NBRSS website.
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