Methodology
At ADD3R.COM, the cornerstone of our solution-oriented, customer- focused development is our methodology. We care so much about doing the job well, doing it right each time, that we named the company after our process. When we take on a project, we use time-tested, "best practice" methods to find the right solution for our clients. Our iterative development process divides the project into small parts, allowing us to demonstrate results and obtain valuable feedback early and often in the process. This is a proven method which provides a greater chance of successful outcome. When you begin a project with ADD3R, we respond to your requirements with a programmatic approach towards identifying your opportunities or challenges, determining the needs, the audience, potential solutions, and challenges or risks to achieving those solutions. We use experienced resources to help you decide on a course of action appropriate to your needs. We then Design and Develop using deliverables as ways to assess the solutions early and often in the process. During these Review sessions, our clients' input is fed back into the design so that solutions are released well-suited for their intended purpose.
Analyze -
In our analysis we attempt to understand the needs of the client, their target audience and stakeholders of the solution we are developing for them. One of the first things we analyze is needs identification. The Who, What, Where, When and Why questions are addressed and potential solutions are proposed. An Analysis Document is delivered with proposed solution(s), project milestones, timelines, specific deliverables and any identified requirements or constraints. A preliminary estimate is included based upon the proposed work. At each stage in the process, ADD3R provides a review, revise and release ( the 3R part of our name) document articulating needs and actions. This helps facilitate client and stakeholder acceptance and documents revisions along the process.
Design -
We design our solutions for effectiveness and efficiency, by paying close attention to the needs of the client. We translate the plan articulated in the Analysis into a mini-solution or set of possible solutions to the need. Interface Design (including color and typography usage), Interaction Design (how the user interacts with or uses the solution), and Information Design (the structure and content of information) are spelled out in the Design Document.
Develop -
Development is an iterative process, with milestone deliverables identified as checkpoints at specific stages in the project. These may include early prototypes to final launch and beyond. In all our development, the earlier content is "locked-in" or "frozen" the easier it is to meet your time and budget considerations. As a rule of thumb, changes or revisions are less expensive to implement earlier in the process than later.
Review -
Reviews provide opportunities to test the developed solutions and gather feedback on them. Many times applications are improved through user testing and usability engineering. Dependent upon your needs, the scale of the project and budget, reviews are conducted at specific milestones. This is designed to provide ample opportunity to gather valuable feedback, document it, and integrate it into the development process. The result of the review process is typically a document of items to be changed or corrections to be made. The review document items are evaluated and prioritized either to be included in the revisions phase or for future development. We work with our clients to help prioritize and implement revisions in a manner to minimize scope and budget creep, or where requested, to work with the client to apply appropriate change orders to implement upgrades to projects in-process. If the reviewed milestone has no changes needed client sign-off is obtained to move to the next stage.
Revise -
Revisions are implemented based on item identified and prioritized established in the review process. After revisions are completed, review and sign-offs are completed. For feature upgrades new milestones with additional review/revision loops may be added to a project plan.
Release -
Release is the final step in the iterative development process. The deliverables typically include a final accepted version of the solution, documentation, along with suggestions for future upgrades and opportunities, as well as the opportunity for client feedback on the process. The solution is launched.