Concept of Operations Document
for the
Labor Market Information (LMI)
Internet Delivery System (IDS)
August 4, 2000
Prepared for:Tim Norris, LMI-RFP Coordinator
LMEA Branch
Washington State Employment Security Department
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Prepared by:Logicon, Inc.
2150 River Plaza Drive, Suite 255
Sacramento, California 95833
(916) 567-9995
SAC000804-01
LMI Internet CONOPSSAC000804-01
Revision History
Project Name: / LMI ACCESSApproval Signatures:
Logicon, Inc. – Jeff Lewis, Logicon Department Manager / Date
Project Coordinator – Tim Norris, LMI ACCESS Project Coordinator / Date
Consortium Head – Michael Paris, LMI Consortium Head / Date
Version / Creator,
Change Description / Logicon / Project Coordinator / Other Customer / Date
0.1 / Logicon Inc., Outline
0.2 / Logicon Inc,, Draft
1.0 / Logicon Inc. Final 1 / 03/08/2000
2.0 / Logicon Inc. Final 2 / 03/27/2000
3.0 / Logicon Inc. Final 3 Draft / 04/19/2000
3.1 / Logicon Inc. Final 3 Draft 2 / 05/16/2000
3.2 / Washington State ESD, Section 4 and Appendix A / 6/09/2000
4.0 / Logicon Inc. Final 4 / 8/4/2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1Scope......
1.1Document Overview......
1.2Background......
1.3System Overview......
2Referenced Documents......
3Current Situation......
3.1Background, Objectives, and Scope......
3.2Operational Policies and Constraints......
3.2.1Data Management......
3.2.2Security Constraints......
3.2.3Available Resources......
3.2.4System Implementation Considerations......
3.3Description of Current Systems......
3.3.1Existing LMI Delivery Systems......
3.3.2LMI Delivery Processes......
3.4Modes of Operation for the Current System......
3.5User Classes and Other Involved Personnel......
3.5.1Organizational Structure......
3.5.2Profiles of User Classes......
3.5.3Interaction Among User Classes......
3.5.4Other Involved Personnel......
3.6Support Environment for the Current Systems......
3.6.1CD-ROM and Client/Server Applications......
3.6.2State LMI Web Sites and Web Applications......
4Justification and Nature of Proposed Changes and New Features......
4.1Justification for Changes......
4.1.1LMI ACCESSS Limitations......
4.1.2Additional Limitations......
4.2Description of Desired Changes......
4.2.1Internet Access......
4.2.2Expanded Capabilities......
4.2.3User-friendly Interface......
4.2.4ADA Requirements......
4.2.5Maintainability......
4.2.6Adaptability, Extensibility, and Scalability......
4.3Priorities Among Changes......
4.4Assumptions and Constraints......
4.4.1Assumptions......
4.4.2Constraints......
5Concept for the Proposed System......
5.1Background, Objectives, and Scope......
5.2Operational Policies and Constraints......
5.2.1User Constraints......
5.2.2Data Constraints......
5.2.3Deployment and Hardware Constraints......
5.2.4Funding Constraints......
5.3Description of the Proposed System......
5.3.1System Architecture......
5.3.2Web Pages......
5.3.3Data Management......
5.3.4System Interfaces......
5.3.5System Features......
5.3.6Performance Characteristics......
5.4Mode of Operation......
5.5User Classes and Other Involved Personnel......
5.5.1Organizational Structure......
5.5.2Profiles of User Classes......
5.5.3Interaction Among User Classes......
5.5.4Other Involved Personnel......
5.6Support Environment......
5.6.1Initial Deployment......
5.6.2Routine Maintenance......
5.6.3User Support......
5.6.4Software Maintenance......
5.6.5Modifications and Enhancements......
5.6.6Software Updates and Bug Fixes......
6Operational Scenarios for the Proposed System......
6.1State LMI Web Pages......
6.1.1Identify User Type......
6.1.2View General LMI Information......
6.1.3View Personal Home Page......
6.1.4Modify User Profile......
6.1.5Search For Information......
6.2Data Browsing Tools......
6.2.1View Local Area Profile......
6.2.2View Occupational Information......
6.2.3View Industry Information......
6.2.4View Employer Information......
6.2.5View Training Information......
6.2.6Compare Occupations......
6.2.7Compare Locations......
6.2.8Compare Industries......
6.3Career Tools......
6.3.1Search for Job Openings......
6.3.2Occupations by Skills and Interests......
6.3.3Occupations Similar to Current......
6.4Data Analysis Tools......
6.4.1Display Data Set......
6.4.2Display Drilldown Table......
6.4.3Display Pivot Table......
6.5Web Site Management Tools......
6.5.1Modify Common Module......
6.5.2Create or Modify Content Module......
6.5.3Modify State LMI Web Pages......
6.5.4Manage Tool Settings......
6.5.5Manage User Profile Options......
6.5.6Manage Restricted User Login Accounts......
6.5.7View Web Site Statistics......
6.5.8Provide Alternate Message When Web Site Is Not Available......
6.5.9Manage Backup Servers......
6.6Data Management Tools......
6.6.1Import Data......
6.6.2Manage Data Import Settings......
6.6.3Set Restriction on Data Access......
7Summary of Impacts......
7.1Operational Impacts......
7.2Organizational Impacts......
7.3Impacts During Development......
8Analysis of the Proposed System......
8.1Summary of Improvements......
8.2Disadvantages and Limitations......
8.3Alternatives and Tradeoffs Considered......
9Glossary......
TABLES AND FIGURES
Table 3.1 - LMI ACCESS Application Modules......
Table 5.1 - Example Element Library Items......
Table 9.1 - Acronyms......
Table 9.2 - Terms and Definitions......
Figure 1.1 - LMI IDS Block Diagram......
Figure 1.2 - Functional Overview......
Figure 3.1 - Data Flow/Process Diagram Key......
Figure 3.2 - Local LMI Delivery Process......
Figure 3.3 - Passive Internet LMI Delivery Process......
Figure 3.4 - Interactive Internet LMI Delivery Process......
Figure 3.5 - LMI Database Update Process......
Figure 3.6 - Job bank Interface Process......
Figure 3.7 - Occupational and Career Tools Delivery Process......
Figure 3.8 - Interactions Among User Classes......
Figure 5.1 - LMI IDS Architecture......
Figure 5.2 - LMI IDS Web Site Layout......
Figure 5.3 - LMI IDS Web Page Layout......
Figure 5.4 - LMI IDS System Interfaces......
Figure 5.5 - Organizational Structure......
Figure 5.6 - Interactions Among User Classes......
Figure 5.7 - Support Process......
Figure 6.1 - State LMI Web Pages Use Cases......
Figure 6.2 - Data Browsing Tools Use Cases......
Figure 6.3 - Career Tools Use Cases......
Figure 6.4 - Data Analysis Tools Use Cases......
Figure 6.5 - Web Site Management Tools Use Cases......
Figure 6.6 - Data Management Tools Use Cases......
Appendix A - Traceability Matrixes
Table A1 - Problems/Change Matrix...... A1
1
August 4, 2000
LMI Internet CONOPSSAC000804-01
1Scope
1.1Document Overview
This Concept of Operations Document (CONOPS) represents the proposed solution for the LMI ACCESS Internet Transition Evaluation project. This CONOPS describes the mission of the Labor Market Information (LMI) Internet Delivery System (IDS) and it's operational environment. It also describes the functions and characteristics of the computer systems within the overall system.
This CONOPS was developed using IEEE Std 1362-1998, IEEE Guide for Information Technology - System Definition - Concept of Operations. The format has been customized to accommodate the LMI ACCESS Internet Transition Evaluation project and is based upon the Draft Concept of Operations Document for the LMI ACCESS/ALMIS Internet Application, dated April 16, 1999, prepared by the LMI ACCESS/ALMIS Internet Workgroup.
The intended audience for this document includes representatives of the LMI ACCESS Consortium (the consortium of states sponsoring this project) and prospective contractors who will assist in designing and implementing this Internet system.
1.2Background
Throughout the nation, state LMI programs participate in nationwide programs sponsored and funded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Employment and Training Administration (ETA). These programs are designed to collect data about employment, industries, firms, workers, occupations, wages, hours, economic growth and decline and the functioning of the labor market for the state wide and sub-state areas. Further, LMI programs provide timely, accurate, state, regional and local labor market information to internal and external customers. This includes supporting the federal mandate to provide labor market information to meet the needs of One Stop Career Center customers. State LMI programs may also provide additional services such as detailed occupational information and local job openings.
The critical need to make LMI available for labor exchange, economic development, and public policy decision making was established by the ALMIS vision (America’s Labor Market Information System) and reinforced by the enactment of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). ALMIS envisions a labor market information program that provides customers with the information and value-added services necessary to allow them to exercise “informed choice” in their workforce-related decision making.
The ALMIS concept represents the interrelated systems of national, state and local labor market information as it applies to the nationwide employment and training system and the economy as a whole. ALMIS originally focused on serving the information needs of six clusters of customers: individuals (job seekers), employers, intermediaries/counselors, economic developers, education and training providers, and planners and policy makers. ALMIS has since become the primary repository of state and local LMI data and is used by internal state LMI analysts as well as external customers.
One aspect of the ALMIS vision is an LMI database (also known as ALMIS). Each state maintains an ALMIS database with state wide and regional information as well as some national BLS data. Most of the Consortium states currently provide access to ALMIS data using a CD based product called LMI ACCESS. Developed and maintained by Geographic Solutions Inc., LMI ACCESS can be deployed as a stand-alone application or as a client/server application over an internal network. The LMI ACCESS application has been customized for each state to include state unique graphics and regional maps and to accommodate different levels of detail and other minor variations in data contained in each state's ALMIS database.
The CD-ROM and client/server versions of LMI ACCESS provide employers and job seekers access to data contained in an ALMIS database through computers located at regional service centers. LMI Analysts also use the LMI ACCESS application to access and export ALMIS database tables. The individual states maintain the LMI ACCESS ALMIS database using Geographic Solutions' ALMIS Database Administrator application. Geographic Solutions is the sole source for maintenance and enhancement of the LMI ACCESS application.
Each Consortium state currently maintains an LMI web site containing press releases, publications, and LMI data highlights. Some states also have existing web applications that allow users to view data from their ALMIS database interactively using a web browser. Many of these web applications are Geographic Solutions products based on the LMI ACCESS application. Web-based occupational and career exploration tools and interfaces to state and national job banks are also provided by some states as part of their LMI web site or as part of another state agency's web site.
1.3System Overview
The LMI IDS will provide an integrated web application that Consortium states can use to serve both internal and external customers. The LMI IDS will be flexible, easy to manage and maintain, allow additional features to be added without significant changes to the core system, and will be scalable to accommodate increased user load. Each Consortium state will be able to customize the LMI IDS to meet their individual needs by enabling or disabling specific features. The LMI IDS will use state unique maps and graphics and will accommodate variations in each state's implementation of the ALMIS database standard.
The LMI IDS will provide static reports and publications and will link labor market information contained in the ALMIS database with data contained in other state and national databases including automated labor exchange services such as America's Job Bank and other state run job banks and the United States Department of Labor Occupational Network (O*NET) database. A diagram of the LMI IDS concept is depicted in Figure 1.1.
The LMI IDS will provide customer access to ALMIS and other LMI related data over the Internet via a web browser through a single web site for each state. An overview of the major functions is shown in Figure 1.2. The LMI IDS will provide four primary services:
- State LMI Web Pages - web pages containing articles, tables, and graphs with hyperlinks that provide access to static reports, web-based interactive tools, and related web sites.
- Data Browsing Tools - interactive web interface providing access to LMI and related data using easily understandable menus and forms to select the data and hyperlinks to display related data.
- Career Tools - interactive web interface providing career exploration, job search, and other tools of interest to persons looking for a job or considering a career change using easily understandable menus and forms.
- Data Analysis Tools - interactive web interface that allows more advanced users to access LMI statistics and to analyze those statistics using drill down and pivot tables.
The LMI IDS will also provide web-based administrative tools (Web Site Management Tools and Data Management Tools) to allow system administrators to manage web site content, application settings, and source data.
The principle customers of the LMI IDS will be Employers and Job Seekers. Other external customers include academics, economists, and other advanced LMI data users requiring specific ALMIS database information as well as other less sophisticated LMI data consumers requiring access to LMI publications and monthly reports. The LMI IDS will also serve internal customers, such as LMI data analysts, using a secure Internet connection. System administrators, such as web site and data managers, will use web-based tools to manage LMI IDS content and application settings and will have the ability to control public access to sensitive data.
The LMI IDS may be deployed to a state or contractor facility to support a single state or may be deployed to a centralized facility to support several states. Local technical support requirements will be minimized. The Consortium will be able to easily add additional features to the LMI IDS using in-house or contractor resources.
Figure 1.1 - LMI IDS Block Diagram
Figure 1.2 - Functional Overview
2Referenced Documents
The following documents were referenced in developing this CONOPS:
[1]Draft Concept of Operation Document for the LMI ACCESS/ALMIS Internet Application, April 16, 1999, LMI ACCESS/ALMIS Internet Workgroup
[2]IEEE Std 1392-1998, IEEE Guide for Information Technology - System Definition - Concept of Operations (ConOps) Document, March 19, 1998, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
[3]LMI ACCESS Internet Transition Evaluation Best Practices Analysis, February 23, 2000, Logicon, Inc., SAC000223-02
[4]LMI ACCESS Internet Transition Evaluation Current Situation Analysis, January 26, 2000, Logicon, Inc., SAC000125-07
3Current Situation
3.1Background, Objectives, and Scope
Currently individual states deliver state and local LMI data in a range of formats in varying levels of detail. Delivery methods include printed products, stand-alone and client/server applications, and state LMI web sites. Some states have also implemented interactive web-based LMI applications. Customers interested in reviewing local LMI for more than one state are forced to adapt to the varying formats and delivery systems to receive and compare the information. More sophisticated LMI data consumers such as academics, economists, and some state LMI analysts must extract data tables from available sources and perform their analysis using additional software tools such as database or spreadsheet applications.
In addition to web-based LMI data delivery, some states have made career exploration and job search tools available over the Internet. The career exploration tools use a specialized occupational database with career attributes and, in most cases, limited LMI data. Job search tools access state or national job banks, such as America's Job Bank, to locate job openings in a local area. Other job search tools include resume writers and employer databases. At least one state has integrated job listings into their LMI web site, listing job openings side-by-side with local area LMI data.
Several counties and metropolitan areas across the country have implemented their own web-based applications that include LMI data delivery. Some of these applications use state collected data stored in an ALMIS standard database while others use data collected by an independent contractor.
At the national level, a suite of Internet applications called America's Career Kit has been developed by the US Department of Labor. America's Career Kit is a series of complimentary web sites that include America's Job Bank, America's Learning Exchange, and America's Career InfoNet. America's Career InfoNet provides access to high level national and state LMI data and includes some regional data.
The purpose of the LMI IDS is to make labor market information widely available using an Internet based, customer friendly, front end to a datamart containing ALMIS standard LMI data and related information. The system will be easily adaptable to meet the unique needs of each Consortium state and will use LMI data currently maintained by each state in the form of an ALMIS standard database. Implementation of a common LMI IDS across multiple states will result in a more consistent approach to the delivery of state-specific LMI and related services over the World Wide Web. This will allow easy access to LMI data for a wide variety of customers across all Consortium states and provide better service at a lower cost than if each state were to implement a web-based system independently.
3.2Operational Policies and Constraints
3.2.1Data Management
Consortium states currently maintain LMI data in an ALMIS standard database for distribution with the LMI ACCESS application. Most states use the Geographic Solutions ALMIS Database Administrator application to import data from various sources. However, the level of detail and types of data maintained in the ALMIS database varies from state to state. Many states do not load sensitive data into their LMI ACCESS database. Some data elements, industry data for example, may be maintained to varying levels of detail (i.e. two-digit vs. three-digit SIC code).
Each state has established different area categories such as state wide, county, region and metropolitan statistical area. Different statistics are maintained to different levels. For example, a state may maintain industry unemployment statistics to the state wide, regional, and county level, while another statistic, such as occupational wages, may only be maintained to the statewide level.
Updates to the ALMIS database are commonly performed via Remote Data Transfer. Remote data transfer is commonly accomplished using FTP over the Internet. Table data is dumped into a delimited text file, which is sent to the remote site where it is loaded into the destination database using bulk copy or another import application (such as ALMIS Database Administrator).
ALMIS data from state LMI web sites is commonly made available in the form of HTML pages, PDF files, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and images of paper reports. Many of these files are generated by hand in the form of a paper reports, that may or may not be reformatted for display on the state web site. Some states have incorporated tools and applications that allow them to generate these files directly from an ALMIS database.
3.2.2Security Constraints
Certain ALMIS database tables and records may be considered sensitive and should not be made widely available to the public. The LMI ACCESS application uses a special field added to specific tables to indicate data that must be suppressed. The LMI ACCESS administration module allows the system administrator to control access to sensitive data. The administration module also allows the system administrator to control access to specific options within the LMI ACCESS application, thereby controlling access to the data contained within those options. However, many states simply do not include sensitive data in their LMI ACCESS database.