➤Accepted sprints |
➤Sprint reports |
➤Lessons learned |
|---|
The sprint process: from sprint check to report
natESM maintains an open call for proposals, enabling model-development groups across Germany to become part of our Earth-system research community.
Our sprints, focused on technical objectives and tethered to natESM resources, provide a flexible program tailored to your research goals and timelines. This collaborative journey spans up to six months, fostering in-depth partnerships between you and our Research Software Engineers (RSEs).
The sprint process within natESM encompasses several stages, ensuring that each sprint effectively contributes to our Earth system modeling objectives. Here is an overview of the sprint journey that you can initiate at any time. Prospective applicants are required to undergo a sprint check, serving as an accessible entry point for guidance before submitting a full sprint application.
1. Sprint check
If you are contemplating a sprint, send a brief description of the challenge you intend to address, along with access to the code for our RSEs and details about your experimental setup.
If the software is suitable for improvement within a sprint, the RSEs will provide precise advice on what should be included in a full proposal and how it should be structured before submission.
In cases where a sprint is not currently feasible due to outdated code, the RSEs will provide you with detailed information on how to improve the code. Once you have incorporated the RSEs' suggestions, you can contact us again at any time with a sprint-check request.
The timeframe for completing a sprint check ranges from as short as two weeks to a maximum of two months.
Please note: A successful sprint check with a recommendation to submit a full proposal does not imply that the proposal will be accepted!
2. Sprint application
Researchers submit a comprehensive sprint application, considering advice from the sprint check, detailing proposed goals, scope, and expected outcomes to c3VwcG9ydC1yZXF1ZXN0QG5hdC1lc20uZGU=.
3. Expert review
The RSEs, the coordinator, and steering-group members conduct a thorough review of full sprint applications over approximately six weeks.
4. Notification
Applicants are notified of the outcome by email. If accepted, a KickOff meeting is set up to initiate collaboration.
5. KickOff meeting
The official start of the sprint, where the appointed RSE is introduced. This meeting establishes initial goals, communication frameworks, and team dynamics.
6. Weekly meetings
To ensure continuous collaboration, the responsible scientist and the RSE must agree on a fixed weekly meeting schedule during the kickoff meeting or shortly thereafter. These meetings are a mandatory component of the sprint, facilitating regular updates on progress, discussing challenges, and ensuring close cooperation.
7. Status meeting
After one-third of the total sprint duration, a status meeting is conducted to evaluate progress and address any challenges. This meeting ensures that the sprint remains on track and aligned with its objectives.
In rare cases, a sprint may need to be discontinued before its planned end. This decision should only be considered if, despite joint efforts and adapted goals, the project proves technically unfeasible or misaligned with natESM’s strategic aims. A possible exit should be discussed transparently between the scientific team, the RSE, and the natESM coordination. The final decision rests with the steering committee.
8. Sprint report
After the sprint, applicants collaborate with RSEs to prepare a detailed report, highlighting achievements, outcomes, and lessons learned. Published on the natESM website within three months, the report provides valuable insights for the natESM community.
9. Presentation of sprint outcomes
The responsible scientist (or an authorized representative) is required to present the sprint's outcomes at the yearly community workshop. This fosters transparency, encourages knowledge-sharing, and strengthens collaboration within the natESM community.
10. Follow-up evaluation
Around one year after a sprint, natESM will evaluate its outcomes to assess the long-term impact. The objective is to ensure that the resources invested, including RSE time and funding, have contributed to advancements that benefit the broader community.