The DevFAST portal is used both internally at SinoCode and by our clients and partners. The client and partner interface to this highly effective project management tool is summarised below.
For your peace of mind, the information relating to your projects is set up such that only the staff related to a particular project can see the project information. As one client or partner may have many projects, separation can be achieved for each individual project.
| FUNCTION | AREA | DESCRIPTION OF SOLUTION |
| | |
PROJECT
PROGRESS | PROGRESS
VISIBILITY | - A visual representation of the progress on each particular task in the project.
- Written notifications of work hours performed and work hours yet to be performed.
- Weekly reporting.
- Project/ programme manager discussions, as required.
- Staging area viewing of pre-release software. |
| MULTI-PROJECT AND/OR TASK MANAGEMENT | - 3 tier system: 1) Project; 2) Module; 3) Task.
- Utilises an adaptation of rapid application development methodology. |
| STAGING AREAS | - Release or demonstration software is placed in a virtual holding area visible only to SinoCode staff working on the project and the respective client and partner. |
| PROBLEM & CHANGE CONTROL | TICKETING SYSTEM | - An automated, online system which maintains a full history of communications including events, queries, issues, changes and progress on these items. |
| CHANGE OF SCOPE | - Discussed with account and technical managers;
- Adapted proposal provided;
- Updated schedule to contract agreed;
- Recorded through the ticketing system; and,
- Uploaded to the documentation area. |
| BUG MANAGEMENT | - Vetted by software tool, Bugzilla, which sits outside of the portal.
- Tested by in-house testing staff. |
| VIRTUAL MANAGEMENT | STAFF AVAILABILITY | - Online calendar advising leave, which affects the client and replacement staff, as appropriate. |
| RISK MITIGATION | - Where urgent, risks, consequences and proposed mitigation strategies are communicated to the client directly and immediately.
- Where in advance, risks, consequences and proposed mitigation strategies are provided through the weekly reporting and online ticketing systems. |
| RESOURCE & ACCESS MANAGEMENT | - Additional resources and services such as hosting, staging, routers and other equipment, as required, are listed.
- Our change of scope process followed, as above, as required. |
| IP ISSUE MITIGATION | - Modularisation of each project, enhances IP protection.
- Each module, then, is handled by separate staff members or teams as appropriate.
- Policies are in place and staff are educated on the importance, and contracted to the maintenance, of confidentiality. |
| CLIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INTEGRATION | - The SinoCode service is all about you.
- Our goal is that the SinoCode staff working on your project will be an integrated part of your global workforce.
- The SinoCode team member working on your project will, where possible, fit in with your management systems and style. |
| PROPOSALS | - Your account manager will engage closely with you and seek out a comprehensive body of information to table the best offer possible. |
| DESIGN | - Where the client is providing the design, we will record this in the documentation section of the system, and quote on our services to that specification.
- Where SinoCode is providing the design service, a proposal will be prepared for this work before a proposal for the entire scope. |
| SCOPE | - The project scope encompasses the entire piece of work expected to be performed for the customer and
- forms the basis of our pricing;
- defines roles and responsibilities; and
- is used in the contract terms and conditions. |
| USER ACCEPTANCE TESTS (UATs) | - UATs are based on meeting a functional requirement of the solution developed.
- These are mutually and reasonably agreed once the scope and project plan have been completed and before work commences. |
| CONTRACTS | - Once the commercial agreement has been formalised, SinoCode will contract with your firm to provide your development services as agreed. |
| CHANGE OF SCOPE | - The scope of the project may be changed at any time.
- A new proposal will be provided and work will recommence upon an updated schedule to the contract being agreed. |
| WEEKLY REPORTS | - Weekly reports are emailed to the client as well as archived in the online documentation section.
- Issues may be discussed directly, as required.
- This report includes progress statements; risk identification and associated mitigation options; upcoming work; and, budget tracking against milestones. |
| INNOVATION CENTRE | NEW FUNCTION IDEAS | - SinoCode is constantly working to improve its systems and service.
- In this online area we expose some of the improvements we are undertaking; and importantly, we request and take feedback from our clients for inclusion in future DevFAST versions. |
