Defining team processes using OO metaphors

In 1996,the Office of the US Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), Clinical Business Area, began investigating the use of object oriented technology for its Computer-Based Patient Record program. It commissioned the CIOOT project (CPR Interoperability Using Object-Oriented Technology) and tasked multiple vendors and government offices to work within an integrated product team. At first, bringing order to the many diverse and conflicting views represented on the team seemed as impossible as herding cats. To deal with the project's complexity, the CIOOT project management team developed a process definition technique based on the metaphors of OO technology. The technique brought about common understanding and a clear project plan and, as a bonus, proved valuable for many other practical purposes.