How I Work
Software should make your business decisions and your life easier. Yet often, off-the-shelf products require cumbersome, error-prone workarounds that waste time.
Just think of what you could do with the eight hours you spend each week tinkering with your database. Imagine the freedom of spending those precious minutes focused on your core business functions or enjoying time with your family.
I can help you get there.
Here is a sense of what to expect when we approach your project:
Consultation
All projects begin with an obligation-free consultation call. At this stage, my primary goal is to listen. I want to hear about your frustrations, your wish list items, the questions you are trying to answer with your data, and the things you’d love to automate.
Based on what you are ready to tackle we can start small with an immediate, discrete project or lay out a more comprehensive roadmap to solve bigger business needs. After our conversation, I will put together a proposal for your review.
Discovery & Analysis
I take a people-focused approach to every project and believe in the value of clear communication from the onset. The greater my understanding of you and your business, the more effectively I can tailor the software to transform the way you work. During this phase, anticipate getting really specific about responses to questions like:
- Are we trying to solve a problem or are we trying to build something new?
- Is the issue we’re fixing broad in scope or does it address a narrow workflow?
- Do you find yourself wondering why it takes so long to pull reports and get the answers you need?
- Who are the key people who will benefit from the solution we employ?
- What are the specific pain points that we’re attempting to eliminate?
- Why do you want to address these particular pain points at this time?
- What questions are we hoping to answer with your data?
- What do you already have in your system? What needs to be added?
I’ll connect with key stakeholders including managers, power users, and daily users to better understand the workflows in place and determine how they might be impacted by new software development.
Design
After gathering and processing what I’ve learned, I’ll think through some options for solving your problem(s). I’m always available to check in and discuss any new obstacles, questions, or needs that surface so we can minimize their impact on your project timeline and deliverables. Generally, I like to connect weekly on larger projects to keep things moving forward smoothly. Once I’ve completed my design, I will present my concept to the project team.
Development
Your involvement in the development process is crucial to arriving at the best and most sustainable outcomes. As a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), I’ll lead us through sprints that allow us to test, refine, and iterate as we progress through the complete project scope. This agile approach will allow us to adjust to changing business priorities, timelines, and technologies.
Implementation
In the implementation phase, we’ll determine training needs and plan for any pre-launch testing. I will coordinate with you to set a go-live date and share any necessary documentation. Once the launch occurs, we’ll touch base to make any necessary adjustments, debrief the process, and talk about how things are working.
Beyond
If you discover a new development or maintenance need after we have completed your project, know that I’m only a phone call away. Consider me a partner who can help you think through new ideas about how you manage your data. Businesses are fluid and changes happen. I’m happy to help you navigate new use cases and other adjustments to your system as needs arise.