| |  Good management is critical to the success of any project. It requires a rigorous, professional methodology that is flexible enough to adapt to changing project needs and keeps the client tightly integrated with the overall process.
Our project process can be described as a methodology that is highly customer focused and driven by a set of measurable deliverables and milestones. It is structured into overlapping phases to provide an optimal schedule with critical and continuous feedback between all phases. This feedback between client and project team provides the flexibility needed to quickly adapt the system to developing project needs throughout the life cycle. No project will have answers to every question at the onset and many projects often include requirements or scope changes as the project matures.
Creative Foundry’s process combined with a set of world-class tools keep the client engaged in the review process, continuously collect valuable feedback, provide requirements and scope change management and track system configuration, documentation and progress throughout the life of the project.
Our flexibility allows us to tailor the process to each specific project. We recognize that not every project requires such a detailed process. The client needs will dictate the specific phases and the depth of detail and activity required within each of the following phases:
Discovery and Preplanning
During this phase, we work with the client to understand their business model, processes and systems that support the client’s operation. We help identify the enterprise objectives and determine the client’s goals. Working with the client and using the data gathered, we develop a long-term vision for their Information Management Strategy that will support the client’s business and meet their objectives. It is at this stage that broad scope and requirements are defined.
Strategy and Definition
During this phase, the project strategy and detailed requirements are defined. All requirements are prioritized and a detailed project plan is developed that includes cost analysis, resource planning, specific project deliverables and measurable milestones. A high-level systems model is also developed encompassing the overall information management model and system level integration. Third party applications are evaluated and all licensing, integration and training costs are analyzed including potential project risks.
Design
This phase of the project overlaps with the strategy and definition phase as the final project definition is being completed. A detailed system design will be completed defining all necessary components, which may include the following as appropriate: layered applications, network, business rule components, databases, interaction with existing systems, process flow, data flow and object modeling. Detailed user interaction will be defined. As this phase matures, all systems are checked against the project requirements. Functional prototypes and testing methodologies may also be developed.
Development
Development and implementation will overlap heavily with design as well as testing through an iterative process. As design is completed for major system components, detailed implementation will begin. Unit and system level testing will begin, as each component is ready for system integration. User and test documentation will be developed as necessary to be used during the QA/Testing phase. Each system will be checked against the requirements documentation.
Quality Assessment and Testing
Both component and system level quality assurance testing will be an ongoing activity. The system will be validated against all requirements and user documentation as necessary. All scope, requirements and configuration changes as well as software change requests will be tracked throughout the project. All documentation, configuration and software will be version controlled throughout the life of the project.
Integration/Training
Upon completion of final system level testing and documentation and as necessary, the client will be trained. This may include any number of facets such as design, integration, user, administration and maintenance. The final integration and rollout plan will be reviewed and the system integration will be completed. Onsite support can be provided throughout the process. In addition, all systems will be monitored for performance and operation during the break-in period to insure smooth transition and finalize system operation and tuning. Final documentation for the as built system will also be completed.
Final Review
The final review phase includes a project post-mortem analysis, gathering of ongoing feedback from the client throughout the life of the product and any client discussions regarding ongoing development, maintenance or system evolution.
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