I have finally decided on a code name for my project it is Project Aqua.

The first step for me was to create a database. I had created a normalize data model years ago which is still valid, but I decided to follow the TDD methodology and only create what I need right now. This really goes against my 30 years of being in the software development business, but I really do have a due date and this will get me there faster.

We currently have the data we need for this application in Excel spreadsheets. Some of it comes from SOVA (Special Olympics Virginia). I decided for right now I am creating one table called Volunteers.

 Here is the Sql Server table I created:

My first task for Prince William Special Olympics (PWSO) is to create a Silverlight application to manage their Class A volunteers. Class A volunteers in Special Olympics Virginia (SOVA) are persons who have access to the athletes and have passed a background check. They can be coaches, chaperones, etc. Because the term of the Class A volunteer expires every 3 years, the first concern for PWSO is to determine which volunteers need a current background check.

This will be the first task of this new application. A couple of months ago I did some work with SketchFlow to determine some of the requirements. For the remainder of this project (still in search of a code name), I will try to use a Scrum Methodology and Test Driven Development (TDD).

The technologies I will be using are C#, Ado.Net Entity Framework 4.0, Silverlight and WCF RIA Services. I will also be using MVVM pattern and maybe the repository pattern. Keep following my blog to see how this project progresses.

As a professional developer, I have been writing programs for my personal use for years.  However just this last year I realize that I would be better served if I would use the same disciplines personally that I use professionally. Therefore, earlier this year I started using the same disciplines for my personal projects that I use professionally.  The results were that it would take me longer to have something working, but it was a much better quality product (fewer bugs, easier to change). In general, all the things I know professionally to be true are even true on small projects. As I stated in my previous blog, I am creating some software for Prince William Special Olympics.  For this project, I am going to try to use good software practices. I will also chronicling this project on my blog.

For many years now I have been involved with Prince William Special Olympics(PWSO). My youngest son is Autistic and Special Olympics have been such a great organization for him that I decided to get involved. Over the last couple of years, I have set up their web site using DotNetNuke, auto generating reports using the Open XML framework, etc. I have for the last couple of months begun to work on what we’re calling the Prince William Special Olympics Information Management System (not a very original name, in fact I think I need one of those catchy Microsoft codenames).  I have begun collecting requirements for the first phase which is to manage our Volunteers. At the end of the project I am hoping to make it open source and have available to the community.  It may be something that the various “give camps” may have an interest in.