Our Methodology - Proven Successful.
Project approach and communication is 90% of what determines project success or failure... find out why.
Open Professional Group has developed a methodology for the rapid development of successful web based database software applications that has proven successful for hundreds of projects. Why, you might ask? Because it all starts with a focus on business. We don't think there is any place for the discussion of technology until we have first understood the business needs and challenges to be solved. As we say here, "Business before Technology = Success."
The simple fact is that most people are not technologists. And, let's face it; whether you are the CEO, the Senior VP of Operations or an assistant who has been tasked to get a project moving; we are all people. By recognizing this we know that while you may know you have a need, that may not mean you know how to solve the challenges that create that need. So, we keep it simple. Let's talk business, talk shop, shoot the breeze, spitball, pontificate or otherwise engage in a discussion. That's where it all begins.
To make it really simple, we have three main things we do to ensure project success. Yes, there are some details for each, but these are the main points.
We talk. OPG Listens. We talk more until OPG understands.
We ask questions. We ask more questions. We keep the whole discussion non-technical unless absolutely necessary.
We recommend; then ask if you understand our recommendations. If not, we return to step 1 and continue the cycle until you tell us you are comfortable with the recommendation.
That's the process we follow and is what every member of our team knows to follow. We are here to translate your needs into technology that makes your life easier. To do that, we communicate heavily to ensure understanding.
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Once we understand what you need and you understand our recommendations, we follow these simple but powerful steps to take the ideas we have developed together and turn them into a technical solution that adds serious value to your organization. |
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Requirements Analysis/Specification DevelopmentAfter all that discussion mentioned above, we will translate your ideas into a printed document, with accompanying conceptual interface screens where applicable, to formalize the solution we have crafted together. This is a non-technical, business focused document. Yes, we will be talking about each field in the system, but not in a technical way, rather in a way that makes sense for a "person" and not a "geek." |
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Technical DesignOnce we have reviewed and revised the specification above, and you tell us you are ready to proceed (we won't force you ahead), we get your approval. At this point, we take the business focused specification and create the "technical" documents for the developers. This simply extends the specification and provides the needed technical "bits and bytes" details that the technical folks understand. These become yours at the end of the project, but we won't make you try to decrypt the alphabet soup since these are internal documents for the developer and tightly tied to the specification that you approved. We don't just go off on tangents. We only do things that you approve of. |
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DevelopmentNow that we have the specification (blue print) of your solution and the technical design (materials list and detailed engineering drawings), we move to development. At this step, the programmers will take the pieces of paper we have created together and make the solution come to life. Since the developers are handed detailed "instructions" for the creation of your solution; there is no interpretation or "creative license." This ensures that no only will your system be what you expect it to be, but this keeps our team on time and within budget. Of course, during this process your project manager will constantly update you and keep you informed of status. If anything pops up and we need your input, we'll immediately reach out. Remember, communication is 90% of the success of any project and that is no less true here. |
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Testing/BETAOnce the developers have created the solution according to the specification, it will be tested internally via an "ALPHA" phase of testing. This is where our team will test every element, field and screen of the system to ensure functionality and that the system performs exactly to the specification. Any bugs or adjustments will be applied and the system will then be turned to you and your team for the "BETA" test round. This is not the live system. This is when you and your team will use and work with the system and also test it according to the specification. Any changes, bugs or other adjustments will be identified and in scope items resolved. Once all changes are completed; the system will be prepared for data migration (where applicable) and go live. |
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Go LiveThe big day! This is when your new system will be taken live. If there was data that needed to be migrated or other pre-live processes, those would have been completed. On this day, you "launch" the system and it begins to be used. At this point, we also produce a CD or DVD with a copy of your system's source code, database structure and schema, all documentation created and any other elements for your use. Since you own the full system and are free to do as you wish with it after we go live, this becomes your copy of the system. At this point, the core project is closed and we move to the next phase of support. |
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Support and ChangesOnce you go live, there will always be a bug here or there and changes that you wish to make. Once you are live, you have full access to our support services through your project manager or analyst/consultant. We will address every issue or change request as a priority to ensure you always have us standing behind you and our solutions. Every system we develop is fully warrantied to ensure you have us available should anything end up out of sorts. |
As you can see, the technology services are a necessary and valuable part of the process, but our interactions with you and your team at all phases of the project are what determine project success. We work very hard to ensure that we are on the same page throughout the project. If everyone communicates, everyone wins. The technology becomes the "easy" part.
Referral Program
Have friends and colleagues? Want to earn cash? Check out the Open Professional Group referral rewards program! If you know someone who could use the services of Open Professional Group, we'll pay you cash if they do business with us! You can earn from $500-$2,500 for every referral either personally or for your organization! What's more, the company or organization you refer to us will receive 10% off of their first project! We will continue to pay you for every qualifying project that the organization you refer completes! What could be easier? Check out the web development referral rewards program today! If you are not yet our client, don't worry, you can still participate!
Partner Program
Do your clients keep asking about having a database created or putting a content management system behind that web site you designed, but you are unsure how to make it happen? We can help! Our Partner Program is designed for firms who wish to expand their services, make more money and better serve the total needs of their clients without the headaches of new hires or infrastructure! We structure the program around the way you do business and you can earn exceptional commissions all while making your clients happier and retaining them longer. Check out the details of our partner program today or give us a call at 800-897-5709 x125 for instant assistance!
