A combination of factors allow us to rapidly locate and define problems and then rapidly develop quality solutions.
Business & Technology Background - As the business analyst I have over 30 years of experience. For over 20 years we have been providing technology to solve business problems. In the 10 years prior we developed, managed and operated small businesses. This gives us the ability to view problems using a business perspective (ROI, bottom line, quality, etc.) but with an approach of high tech ingenuity. You therefore receive the best of both worlds. We are not merely IT professionals looking only for an opportunity to apply the latest technology; but rather business persons looking for the best possible solutions - solutions which may often happen to involve high end technology.
Problem Solving Method - Our partners include someone originally trained as an electrical engineer. We use problem-solving techniques following scientific methodology similar to the Six Sigma approach: DMAIC – Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. This means we are well organized and focused. If your problem is complex or large, the solutions will follow more closely to Six Sigma techniques. If your problem is less complex, requiring an immediate solution, we respond quickly but with an appropriate attention to detail and quality.
Software Development Method – Our original software development training came during a time of rigid methodology (flow charts, pseudo coding, very lengthy specifications gathering). That was an appropriate method during it’s time. Over time we have worked with a lot of fast growing organizations in markets that were changing rapidly (within months rather than years). This has required us to continually evolve; first towards RAD (Rapid Application Development) techniques and then Agile techniques. So our approach is iterative and extremely fast.
Bottom line: Due to our combined business and technology background, our problem solving methods, and our software development methods, we deliver quality targeted solutions fast.
Case 1: Major Governmental Agency* – The agency had an extremely large project. By the time we came into the picture the project had already been awarded to a very large provider of technical solutions. This was a multi-million dollar, multi-year project. The problem was that there was going to be 1-2 years before this vendor began providing the first levels of their solution. This time delay was a significant problem for the governmental agency. Their current system was failing and creating substantial issues. We then became involved and proposed an interim solution and the agency approved. Within 4 months we provided a solution that addressed 100% of their most significant problems and 70% of all of their problems and for less than $200k.
Case 2: Major National Bank* – Being one of the largest banks in the US they have their own very large internal Information Systems (IS) teams and build most of their own product solutions. Because of some prior unrelated business with this bank they were exposed to our rapid development techniques. They were being exposed to the same rapidly changing market conditions as all other businesses. Because they were so large they were having difficulty responding to these market needs in time - like trying to change the course of a large ship. As an experiment they issued a request for a proposal to both their own internal IS group and to us. Because we were up against their own internal staff their IS group promised a lower cost, but we won the opportunity because we could develop the solution within time to meet the current market demand.
*Exact information and much more detail can be given for both of these cases upon request.
