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DP divides all projects into seven steps.
First, we help clients plan clearly and specifically what they would like to do. The planning process includes the following steps, among others:
- Articulate clearly the objectives of the project, including the criteria to determine if it has been completed successfully
- Set a specific timeline and milestones
- Perform a detailed Risk Analysis, to eliminate the most likely roadblocks.
- Ensure the project is named properly (in the case of start-ups)
Second, we create a non-functional prototype of the project: the prototype is often the spec. Sometimes these are just simple flat-text HTML pages of the various screens of a site. We insist on starting with non-functional mock-ups because they give the client, and ourselves, a clearer sense of what we are indeed building and forces us to solve many of the potential problems in the beginning while saving us time later on.
Third, we build for our clients: computer systems, graphic art, anything technical or design-wise that they need done to reach the goal. Our team through Latin America builds quietly, invisibly, and cost-effectively.
Fourth, we test all products extensively before, during, and after we review them with the client. We have our own quality assurance methods and we emphasize strong, measurable tests in our processes.
Fifth, we then review our work, both piecemeal and the completed project, with the client and changing whatever pieces are necessary, until he is satisfied. The review cycle also pinpoints particular problems and points of pain, so that they can be avoided in future iterations of the project and other projects.
Sixth, we iterate. Since we know from experience that everything we do will be tweaked, we build tweaking into our system. After each phase of the project, we go back to the first step and begin anew, building on what we had previously done in the last iteration. Within each iteration, furthermore, we follow the same workflow.
Seventh, simultaneously with iterating over the project, we operate the projects when appropriate. Development, Quality Assurance, Operations are all separate roles--and all are involved in the project planning and all communicate with each other at all phases of each project.
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