Project Reflections: Celebrating 30+ Years of Defence Communications Excellence

At Crown Management Consultants, we've supported Defence communications for over 30 years. Thanks to a team that blends technical expertise with real-world experience, our reputation is built on solving complex challenges in high-stakes environments.

In this new series, Project Reflections, we're taking a walk down memory lane. We're asking team members to share the most memorable project they've worked on and what made it stand out.

To kick things off, we spoke with Josh Otte, who shared insights into a project that left a lasting impact.

What was the project, and what role did you play in it? 

Supported the development of the Mission Partner Network JP2221, and delivery of training and transition to sustainment. 

What was the main objective or challenge the project aimed to solve? 

Multinational and partner sharing of information in line with ABCANZ Standards. 

Why does this project stand out as the most memorable for you? 

It delivered and provided the filler for a major capability gap, while also enabling critical information exchange. It was a major leap in technology for end users and administrators. 

What was the most rewarding part of working on it? 

The people I worked with from Crown who taught me a great deal and mentored me. 

Who did you work with on this project, and how did the team collaborate? 

I worked with both Directors of Crown, Contractors and full time employees. Almost, if not all of the team were Crown members. 

What technologies or methodologies were key to the project’s success? 

Agile Sprints for development, DevSecOps to expedite delivery and design in accordance with architectural frameworks (ToGAF/DoDAF).

What impact did the project have on end users? 

It provided a system that could integrate to our closest partners. It enabled administrators to manage and maintain the system. It also enabled collaboration for tools like file share, C2 Chat and COP exchange for end users. 

What lessons from this project do you still carry with you today? 

MVP and MVC are better than no product at all, planning and budgeting is essential and the creation of documentation as you progress saves a lot of time and effort, particularly when it comes to accreditation and review.