In every project engagement, our professional team uses a 4-step repeatable methodology that ensures quality results: Envision, Plan, Implement, and Closing, in alignment with Project Management Institute philosophy (PMI) and Microsoft Solution Framework (MSF). Each phase has its key milestones and deliverables, according to the project itself.
Envisioning Phase
- This first step helps ensure that the project team and our client share a clear vision of the project end-results.
- Key Desired Results/Gaps: Getting a clear diagnosis of current state is crucial at this point, assessing all stakeholders affected by the project.
- Create Scope of Work: The scope maps the vision against the reality of what is required to achieve the vision, using a SMART validation. It details the System Requirements, Application Requirements, Hardware Requirements, and a Deliverables List. The deliverables list will contain a customer sign-off.
- Milestone: Vision/Scope Approved
- This step is achieved when the members of the project team and the customer have achieved a common understanding on the objectives of the project
Planning & Design Phase
- This step expands on the vision and scope defined in the Envisioning Phase. The project plan provides detailed specifications for completing the project. With the deliverables list, we will determine the schedule (time), quality (including risks and contingencies), and resources (people, costs, technology) needed to deliver the results the customer wants and had signed-off.
- In this phase the solution is designed based on requirements gathered and it is validated with the costumer.
- Milestone: Master Project Plan Approved
- This step is achieved when the members of the project team and the customer have achieved a validation of the plan to be implemented.
Implementing Phase
- Plans are converted into actions in this phase. During this step, the solution is developed and optimized until it is deemed ready for production use.
- This phase varies for each project type and its deliverables are specified in the planning phase.
- Corrective actions are implemented if needed.
- Depending the scenario, a test deployment (or pilot if applied) is included.
- Milestone: Scope complete
- At this milestone, features are complete and the solution is ready for external testing and stabilization.
- Specific milestones by project type.
Closing Phase
- The Closing Phase is where the solution is assessed. A crucial point for the Release milestone in a technology infrastructure project is that the solution is fully deployed as defined by the scope of the project.
- Final project review document: Once the project is deployed and running, a Closing Report is delivered to the customer, with a full description of the solutions implemented.
- Project review: It should cover the events that occurred during the deploying phase. The focus should be on the problems found (what went wrong and what went right) to determine the relationship between actions taken by the team and those successes and failures.
- Milestone: Client Sign-Off Approved
- The project is closed after the customer has agreed that the solution met success criteria, in writing.