We believe that the development of any new system could and should be adapted to the customer’s previous experience and preferences in technology and methods. We use the efficiency-proven approach that is based on best practices tailored to specific customer needs. The main task of the project initiation phase is to identify customer requirements, work out the set of methods and approaches that suit each project best, and lay the foundations for future project success.

The main activities that usually take place during project initiation are described below. However, their order and combination may differ from project to project that determines the duration of the initiation phase in each case.

Assigning Account Manager and Project Manager

Project initiation starts with assigning an Account Manager and a Project Manager for the project. The Account Manager is responsible for customer relations, resource management and overall project supervision. The Project Manager is responsible for project planning, monitoring of day-to-day activities, and timely project completion.

Project analysis and requirements elaboration

At an early project stage we elaborate all major project requirements, make project analysis and define team members whose qualification and skills meet these requirements best. Together with the customer team, we examine the customer’s main business goals, products/services and markets, to choose the best strategy for success.

Since face-to-face communication may reveal important details and eliminate misunderstandings, we offer to start requirements analysis with an on-site meeting with a customer. If needed, our project manager continues working on-site with the customer while managing a remote team. We strive to provide the best service possible and apply an optimal combination of offshore and on-site presence. 

Building a dedicated team

Building a dedicated team often goes in parallel with requirements elaboration. The project team is individually selected for each customer, and every team is focused on one project at a time. This helps to maintain focus, dedication, and motivation among team members, as well as create conditions for the teams’ supreme understanding of the customer. Each team consists of a project manager, business analysts, developers, graphic designers, testers, and document writers. The team is supervised by the account manager.

Setting up communication

When starting a project we always discuss with the customer communication tools, which may be used during the project and select those which fit the customer best. We negotiate such a work schedule that will allow sufficient communication with the customer’s team. Rapid development of communication tools allows us using not only e-mails, instant messages and phone conversations, but also organizing conference calls and video chats.

Setting up environment

Before development starts we build environment with software and hardware necessary for successful project implementation.

Different projects may need different approaches. That is why each team chooses the most suitable set of tools for project status tracking, configuration management, remote access, communication, and other project activities. Nevertheless, project implementation processes are documented in accordance with the company’s regular document flow. The progress of each project is monitored and discussed at weekly managers’ meetings.