Overview

Project management and the overall life cycle of your company’s system development and its success is dependent upon the experience of your custom software development partner. HDI Solutions, LLC has extensive experience with the effective implementation and project management of large-scale system solutions.

From the project management perspective, HDI utilizes PMBOK project management techniques along with Agile development cycles. By using two-week sprints in the development process versus the antiquated waterfall approach, all development is being constantly monitored and tested to ensure that the project is on time and within scope, as well as allowing for company feedback and insights.

After each development milestone, components are thoroughly tested by HDI’s internal test group. Development work does not move into the production environment until it is fully tested and approved by the client. HDI uses JIRA and other Atlassian project management tools to document and facilitate tasks and keep the project on track.

Project management with line graphs inside weekly calendar

How HDI Manages Projects
HDI is dedicated to our projects being on time and within budget and has established a tried-and-true process to make it happen. Each of our project managers are PMP (Project Management Professional) certified and trained in the PMBOK standards (Project Management Body of Knowledge).

What is PMBOK?
PMBOK is a collection of standards, best practices and procedures for planning and executing projects successfully from start to finish. This style of effective project management constantly evolves, and HDI has found it to be the ideal method for executing system development projects smoothly within set timeframes.

There are five PMBOK stages that HDI follows for each project, to the benefit of both HDI clients and HDI internal teams:

Stage One

Initiating, Setting a Foundation

This stage begins with a kick-off meeting to make introductions and begin project discussions. The client and HDI establish project expectations, identify security and accessibility requirements, establish goals and finalize a project scope of work.

Stage Two:

Planning, Finalizing Project Details

This planning stage establishes the on-going working relationship between HDI and the client. During this stage the project timeline, budgets and project plan are finalized.

Stage Three

Executing, Where the Work Gets Done

This stage involves project execution, including system design and system development. HDI approaches these phases using the Agile method, which has become more integrated into PMBOK over the past few iterations of its standards. HDI works in two-week sprints. After two weeks, the team stops, checks in, reviews everything accomplished in the past two weeks and ensures all expectations are met. If changes need to be made, they are addressed in the next two-week cycle.

Stage Four

Monitoring & Controlling

Monitoring and controlling often take place alongside execution thanks to the Agile method of checking in and reviewing work every two weeks. This protocol allows HDI to ensure all work is completed within the established scope and timeline, and errors can be corrected along the way. It also avoids miscommunication and errors being overlooked until the end of the development process, when it can be more challenging and time consuming to make corrections.

Stage Five

Closing

The closing stage is when it’s time to go live and the client gives a final sign-off on the project. This is an exciting time for both the client and the HDI team, as HDI is always eager to launch a new system and support the client through the go-live process.

Closing also includes post-project analysis both internally and with the client – our team is always looking for feedback and ways to improve our process and work. We look at what worked, what didn’t, and lessons learned, to make sure we are always growing and developing as a company.

HDI strives to be Intentional, Timely and Transparent regarding the project management and development process. Read our feature article to learn more about our in-depth development and project management process.

Sample 12 Week Development Cycle
2 Week Sprints Allow For

Infographic of project management two-week sprints, Continuous Improvement, Control, Risk Reduction, Client Satisfaction and Motivation, Collaboration and Review.
Project Management two-week sprint advantages, Continuous Improvement, Control, Risk Reduction, Review, Collaboration, Client Satisfaction and Motivation