Conference heron::euro_swas_ai

60.0. "Minutes: Competency Circle Meeting" by LARVAE::TURNER (Mark Turner * DTN 849-3429 * SPYDER::TURNER) Mon Jan 23 1989 16:17

						Mark Turner
						SPYDER::TURNER or @USH
						16-Jan-1989

   Below are the items from the most recent meeting of the European AI
Competency Circle Meeting of 11-Jan.  The notes have been organized to
have more logical flow than was evident at the meeting!  Please post
your comments or questions or comments as replies to this note, or send
mail to SPYDER::TURNER.


			EUROPEAN AI COMPETENCY CIRCLE
				   11-JAN-89


. Project Descriptions:

	. The project descriptions were handed out.  These represent
	  the most up-to-date assessment of the projects done by SWAS
	  in Europe during FY'88 and FY'89.

	. Delegates are asked to use their discretion in distributing
	  the document.  They can distribute it to:

		. anyone in their country competency circle, 
		. whoever in marketing is responsible for AI, and 
		. wherever else may be able to help AI be better positioned
		  in their country.

	. Updating the document will be done each six months and a new
	  copy given out at the Forum.  Delegates agreed to be more
	  prompt in supplying information.
	  (ACTION: Mark Turner and delegates)

. Notesfile:

	. The Notesfile now contains:

		. pointers to demos
		. lists of conferences, courses, and other events
		. some product news
		. some discussion

	. Discussion of what might be added to the Notesfile resulted
	  in the following:

		. AIDigest and similar documents will be purged to
		  include only the most recent few copies. 
		  (ACTION: Pat Roach)

		. A list of pointers to other useful Notesfiles will
		  be set up.
		  (ACTION: Mark Turner)

		. Pat Roach will post pointers to the various sales
		  aids (proposal templates, etc.) which he has collected
		  (ACTION: Pat Roach)

		. A separate note should be set up to point to each
		  "small" third-party tool which members might encounter,
		  e.g. Leonardo, Beagle, etc..  Replies can include:
			. capabilities of the tools
			. competitive positioning
			. applications, industries
			. etc.
		  (ACTION: Mark Turner to initiate, all competency circle
		   members to contribute)

		. The delegates agreed to try an experiment in a pseudo-
		  ASSETS library by posting pointers to code which is:

			. reusable for internal and customer projects,
			. of general interest (e.g. interfaces between
			   tools)
			. documented,
			. supportable (the person posting agrees to
			   occasional telephone support)

		  We will evaluate the experiment at the next AI Forum.
		  (ACTION: Mark Turner to initiate)

	. We discussed whether to keep the Notesfile in its current open
	  form or restrict it; the consensus was that it should be kept 
	  open for the present.

. Training Needs:

    . Training needs assessment:

	. Response to the training needs assessment was poor; only three
	  three people responded.

	. The need to do this is still there.

	. For planning, Heinz needs information on topics, level of interest
	  and time frame.

	. The assessment will be redesigned, sent out again, and delegates
	  will respond to Mark Turner directly.
	  (ACTION: Mark Turner and delegates)

	. Once the assessment has been collected, the E/ACT will work with
	  Edu Services to identify and schedule appropriate courses by the
	  next AI Forum.
          (ACTION: Mark Turner and Edu Services)


    . VAX Decision Expert training.  Delegates agreed that there was a 
      need for:

		. an easily accessible 1-day overview course, and
	        . a more detailed course for those who will be doing 
		  project work or customer support 

      The one-day course would have to be portable in order to reach a
      reasonable number of people across Europe.  The materials used
      during this week, which are being developed further by Edu Services
      in the U.S., can probably serve this need.

      The training needs assessment will give an idea of how much demand
      there would be for an in-depth course.

    . High level tools training.  Delegates approved a suggestion that a
      one-week course covering high-level tools be presented, to provide 
      overviews of KEE, Knowledgecraft, and EPITool.  Depending on the 
      progress of marketing strategy, this would be followed later by
      more in-depth training in EPITool.

    . Next Forum:

	. The next AI Forum will take place in June and will return to
	  the original format of a three-day focus on technology, one
	  day on applications and a day devoted to the Competency Circle 
          and updates from European AITC, SWAS, and Marketing management.

	. The technology focus will be on object-oriented programming.
	  There will be a 1.5 - 2 day session on object-oriented paradigms
	  and design, with the remainder of the time focussing on a single
	  tool (probably EPITool) which implements some of the object-
	  oriented techniques.

	. For the application piece, we will consider a segment which
	  has not yet received attention, e.g. office automation,
	  science, education, logistics, etc.

	  (Note: there may be some revision to this format: all country
	         delegates will be asked for their input shortly.)

. Business Development: Some Ideas for Getting Business Moving

    . Mark presented a series of possible ideas that countries could do
      to get AI business going in their own countries.  Many of these are
      being done now in various countries.  Delegates agreed to discuss
      what they have done in a ten-minute presentation at the next Forum.

      Idea List:

	. Present a short talk on AI to non-AI SWAS specialists in their
	  country, concentrating on how to spot potential AI opportunities
	  with their customers.  Delegates suggested that this could be
	  done by asking for time at a scheduled unit meeting or other
	  competency circle meeting.  

          Jean-Pierre Peloffy described a two-day course offered regularly
	  in France through Edu Services.  A number of countries are
	  interested in obtaining this; Mark will collect it from Jean-
	  Pierre and distribute it.
	  (ACTION: Mark and Jean-Pierre)

	. Arrange for a demo capability in their country by ensuring that
	  there is adequate hardware and that a selection of demos is in-
	  stalled.

	. Finding a marketing person to work with and producing a joint
	  strategy, e.g. a two-page document.  The marketing person should
	  be the one now participating in the Marketing Circle; if there
	  is none, Hans suggested finding one who is amenable to using
          AI in his/her segment.

	. Targeting at least one strategic account where there has been no
	  AI activity yet, in one of these areas:

		. Customer visit to Valbonne.  
		  (ACTION: Jim Kane will provide list of customer 
			   visits which are already planned.

	  	. Get Customer to participate in the April seminar 
		  in Valbonne.

		. Project activity.	
		
		. AI Fellowship
		
		. Getting AI element added to account plan.

. Skill Profiles:
	. There was a short presentation on Skill Profiles.  This is
	  a technique for evaluating skill levels of SWAS staff in planning
	  training needs and project staffing.  It is not meant to replace
          (or be part of) the job planning, salary review, or excellence
	  award processes.

          A new program, including a software tool, are being introduced in 
	  Europe.  The Competency Circle will have an opportunity to make 
	  recommendations on the AI Profile as it is revised.  Delegates can 
	  get more information on Skill Profiles from Mark Turner or from 
	  their country SWAS organizations.

. Next Meeting:

	. Delegates agreed to stand up and give a short (10-minute)
	  presentation on what they had done in their countries and
	  the situation in their countries.