Methodology

Phase 1: Requirements – In this phase, the business case and proposed solutions are developed. This effort provides the basis for defining and scheduling the steps needed to obtain a thorough understanding of the business requirements and a preliminary view of staffing needs.

Phase 2: Analysis – During this phase, the needs of the business are captured in as much detail as possible. Development team members work with the clients to capture the requirement definitions. Through this process, a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the business requirements can be obtained. The development team then develops the functional specifications that will be the basis for the system design.

Phase 3: Design – This phase leverages the work performed during the Analysis Phase to translate the functional requirements into a complete technical solution. This step dictates the technical architecture, standards, specifications and strategies to be followed throughout the Construction and Deployment Phases of the methodology. The completion of the Design Phase also marks the point in the project where a detailed plan of the remaining project phases can be developed.

Phase 4: Construction – In this phase, the development team builds and tests the application, including any utilities that will be needed during the Acceptance and Deployment Phases. As system components are built, they will be tested individually (unit tested) as integrated groupings and as a full system to validate functionality. Documentation, training and roll-out strategy materials are also developed during this phase.

Phase 5: Acceptance – During this phase, the focus of the system validation efforts shifts from the development team to the end users. This phase is used to confirm that the system meets the functional requirements defined in the Requirements Phase as well as validate all aspects of data conversion, systems integration and system development. Acceptance is not complete until the client formally agrees that the requirements have been met.

Phase 6: Deployment – Also referred to as the Implementation Phase, this is the final step in the project cycle. It comprises all activities associated with the deployment of the application. These efforts include training, installation of the system in a production setting, final conversion and transition of ownership of the application from the development team to the client.