The Department of Energy's Software Quality Forum (SQF) 2003 offers an exciting opportunity for the exchange of information and ideas on a broad range of topics addressing software trends and quality challenges in the 21st century.

The Forum is a tri-annual event sponsored by the Software Quality Assurance Subcommittee (SQAS) of the Quality Managers within the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex.

The 2003 Forum is co-hosted by the DOE Office of the Chief Information Officer and the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing within the Office of Defense Programs. In its sixth occurrence, SQF is the premier software quality conference in the Department of Energy. We anticipate well over 300 participants this year from Federal agencies, Government contractors, military services, industry, and academia.

The first Software Quality Forum was held in 1988 and was hosted by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Subsequent forums have been held every three years and were hosted by the Kansas City Plant in 1991, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 1994, Sandia National Laboratories again in 1997, and Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2000. This is the first Forum to be held on the East Coast and we expect the participant turnout to break all previous attendance records.
The Forum is being held on March 25-26, 2003 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott hotel, which is conveniently located in Arlington, Virginia. The hotel lobby provides direct access to the Crystal City metro stop (Blue and Yellow lines).

Participants and presenters will share their knowledge and insight about trends and technologies in the acquisition, development, support, and management of software intensive systems. Six tracks are planned within the framework of the following technical and management focus areas:

Software and Quality Standards/Improvements
Software Quality in Scientific and High Integrity Projects
Integration: Systems and Functions
Information Assurance, Safety, and Surety
Quality Tools and Methods
Software Management
Well-known keynote speakers, tutorials on key Forum topics, panel discussions, a showcase for high-visibility IT projects using cutting-edge technologies, and an IT vendor exhibit area are also included in the Forum program.

Visit this site often to stay informed about the Forum agenda, tracks and topics to be presented, keynote speakers, and other Forum activities. As the planning for the Forum progresses, more detailed information will be posted. You can also access online registration and presentation proposal information from this site.

Contacts General Forum Information Kathleen Canal Phone: 301-903-0615 Fax: 301-903-0735 E-mail: kathleen.canal@hq.doe.gov Publicity Information Jamileh Soudah Phone: 202-586-2104 E-mail: jamileh.soudah@nnsa.doe.gov Hotel, Registration, and Exhibitor Information Mike O'Neill, Federal Business Council Phone: 301-206-2940 ext. 218 Fax: 301-206-2950 E-mail: mike@fbcdb.com Keynote Speakers, Presenters, and Program Information Brenda Coblentz Phone: 301-903-4632 Fax: 301-903-4101 E-mail: brenda.coblentz@hq.doe.gov SQF 2003 Web Site Paul Aaron, PMP Phone: 202-586-0847 E-mail: paul.aaron@em.doe.gov