Managed Services

Internet Development

SDLC

Technical Skills

Services

Modules

[Development Life Cycle] [Needs Assessment Workshop] [Business Case Report]
[Project Definition Report]

The cornerstone of Bytes Software Design's success in service delivery is based on the principle that we first seek to understand our clients' business needs, and once equipped with that knowledge, we are able to deliver value.

We provide resources on a contracting or consulting basis, both locally and internationally, in the field of Architecture, Design, Development, Implementation and Deployment. In other words, full system life cycle services.

The diagram below conceptually shows our development life cycle and the categories of services we provide in each phase.

Bytes Software Design typically follows the following Project Initiation Methodology:

NEEDS ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP
The goal of the Needs Assessment Workshop is to establish if the client does have a problem(s), and what that problem(s) is. The workshop is conducted by a business analyst with good facilitation skills, after which the analyst spends an additional day writing up a report (called an Initiation Document). This Initiation Document gives a high level view of the following:

Gather background/initial information
Identify Problems
Identify Goals & Objectives
Define Product Scope
Identify Preliminary Requirements
Identify candidate solutions
Perform Impact Assessment
Assess Solution Feasibility
Estimate Costs
Define Product Quality Metrics
Define Project Scope
Produce Project Plan
Gather Project Team
Establish Project Risk Management Plan
Establish Quality Metrics

The Initiation Document will include a quote for conducting the Business Case Report. It will also consider the output identified by the Users in the Needs Assessment Workshop, and detail the rapid gains that may be achieved by the Client.
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THE BUSINESS CASE REPORT
Assume that the Needs Assessment Workshop has established that a problem(s) does indeed exist. The goal of the Business Case is to determine whether or not it is financially feasible for the Client to develop/pursue a solution. The output is a Business Case Report, which covers the following ground:

Business drivers
Business problems
Opportunities and needs
Goal & Objectives
Terms of reference
Project Scope
o    Business area scope
o    System scope
o    Solution scope
Exclusions
Assumptions
Functional requirements
Informational requirements
Non-functional requirements
Outline of solution
Expected benefits
Beneficiaries
Metrics to be used
Budget and resourcing
Feasibility assessment
Cost justification
Impact assessment and risk profile
Product quality assurance
Implementation plan

A business analyst conducts the Business Case. The report provides a high level view of the scope and solution, but goes into detail on the financial issues. The duration of the exercise is determined and costed (quoted) in the Initiation Document. The Business Case Report will include a quote for conducting the Project Definition Report.
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THE PROJECT DEFINITION REPORT
The Business Case Report has established that it is financially feasible for the Client to develop/pursue a solution. The goal of the Project Definition Report is to establish exactly who needs to do what in order to make it happen. The Project Definition Report covers the following ground:

Project Identification
o    Code
o    Name and Title
o    Project Manager
o    Project Sponsor or Originator
Project Goals and Objectives
Project Priority
Deadline
Budget
Assumptions
Project dependencies
Other references
Project Scope
Project Plan
Project Organisation
o    Project Team Structure
o    Reporting Structure
o    Project liaison
o    Skills requirements
Performance Management
Progress Review
Project Risk
Quality Plan
Review strategy
Change control
Defect Tracking and Problem Reporting
Quality Metrics to be used
Third party control procedures

A business analyst conducts the Project Definition Report. The duration of the exercise is determined and costed (quoted) in the Business Case Report. The Project Definition Report will include a quote for conducting the System Analysis and Design, and the rest of the SDLC continues as presented above.

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