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Principles of GGCE development

The following principles will be followed in the development of GGCE and GGCE-linked applications:

  • User intelligence and feedback: Collecting and responding to input and feedback from users shall drive the development of the system and will affect changes to the business logic, user interfaces, documentation, and training materials.
  • Usability and user interfaces: GGCE shall be aligned with genebank operations and provide users with intuitive interfaces and forms that are aligned with standard operating procedures of CGIAR genebanks.
  • Continuity and reliability: Databases shall be automatically and reliably upgraded when switching to newer versions of GGCE. Existing functions must continue to produce the same results for the same inputs between minor releases. Obsolete API endpoints should be removed after advanced notice of at least two releases.
  • Extensibility: GGCE shall be designed to efficiently communicate with apps and extensions providing wizard-like functionalities that guide users through routine processes and elicit data-entry and barcode reading/printing actions and trigger pre-defined quality-control checks.
  • Interoperability: GGCE shall be designed to enable communication with relevant information systems (e.g. Genesys, GLIS, GIGWA, EBS).
  • Business logic and data modeling: Data validation, transformation and calculation shall be encoded in backend software, ensuring correct and consistent behavior and results.
  • Performance: As the system evolves, best efforts shall be made to implement fast and responsive software.
  • Documentation and vocabulary: Documentation and the use of consistent vocabulary shall ensure that the system is well understood by users. As the system evolves, the documentation must follow suit and should be aligned with the future Glossary for Genebanks.
  • Training and user support: In addition to documentation, the onboarding and transitioning to GGCE require support in setting up and configuring the system for each genebank and institutional environment, and training of staff in the use of the software. Continuous support channels and in-situ and online training courses shall be provided to enable users to adopt GGCE.
  • Innovation: GGCE shall be maintained and developed to align with developing technologies, tools, toolkits, and user expectations, while maintaining its integrity and reliability. Impact of any innovation on system function and performance shall be taken into consideration.