Our custom application development services include a mix of highly developed, expert processes to help you implement cost-effective, efficient applications designed to make your business run better. By utilizing pre-built frameworks, we are able to develop your customized applications with unparalleled speed, reliability and cost-effectiveness. We use SCRUM-based Agile Methodologies, are experienced with Enterprise Applications and Enterprise Architectures in our creation of your fully customized solutions. We can also provide staff augmentation if desired.

Agile Methodology

The Spitfire Adaptive Methodology (SAM) is applied to each project and results in significant cost savings over traditional Software Development Methodologies.

• Accommodates changes in requirements during the project based on agile practice
• Project costs are reduced dramatically by defining detail based on business priority
• Rapid construction cycles and regular demonstrations improve end user adoption.

Enterprise Applications

Enterprise Applications solve problems across the business rather than for a specific department. Such applications often cross organizational boundaries and are critical to the successful and profitable operation of the business. Enterprise Applications are often developed in suites using a common framework to increase reliability and maintainability, and at the same time designed to reduce development costs. Developing Enterprise Applications that meet the critical needs of a business requires a strong understanding of your business, your architecture and the available technologies.

Vision

At the onset of the project, Spitfire will meet with your team and refine information about the business drivers, future direction and overall strategy. During initial meetings, Spitfire will work with your project team to review overall project vision, objectives, critical success factors, timeline, budget and other criteria required to produce a project charter. Spitfire will interview key IT team members to identify IT goals as they relate to the business strategy, evaluate relevant adjacent and dependent systems that exist and gather information about a target architecture and new technologies currently in review.  

At the end of a this phase, often performed as part of a Discovery Project, Spitfire will deliver a Roadmap for the application, a Product Backlog detailing the required functionality, and a plan for implementing the first deliverables.

Implementation

During implementation, the team designs, implements, tests, documents, and deploys the planned functionality. The first several sprints are often used to develop common architecture components or even a formal framework, often leveraging Spitfire’s existing frameworks.  In later sprints, the team uses the architecture and framework to deliver functionality at an accelerated rate. 

Spitfire used a SCRUM-based agile methodology to deliver production-ready functionality in two- to three-week increments. Teams are built using individuals that collectively contain the necessary skill sets, including Architects, Developers, QA, a Solution Master, and possibly experts in a specific core technology and products. Team members include Spitfire professionals and, optionally, customer employees. Teams that contain a mix of Spitfire and customer resources can aid in transferring ownership and maintenance responsibilities to the customer at the end of the project.

Project Closeout

After all delivery of all functionality, documentation and knowledge transfer, the project is closed. Spitfire holds a closing meeting for final approval and sign-off, and a constructive evaluation of the project.

Enterprise Architecture Development

The goal of all IT technology is to support each organization’s goals and strategies. Over time, the assets used to support a business may no longer align with the needs of the business. An Enterprise Architecture project from Spitfire will determine the gaps between the current IT assets and the goals of the business, propose a future Architecture, and provide a Roadmap for implementing the program. Here’s how it works:

Current State Assessment

During initial meetings, Spitfire will work with your management team to understand your short- and long-term goals and strategies. Spitfire will interview key IT team members to identify IT goals as they relate to the business strategy, evaluate all adjacent and dependent systems that exist and gather information about new technologies currently in review. In addition, Spitfire will meet with your technical team to understand the current technical architecture, including the supporting infrastructure, current frameworks, enterprise suites and application inventory.

Gap Analysis

During this phase, the Project Team will produce a prioritized gap analysis depicting how well the current IT technologies, infrastructure, application suites, development environment, and lifecycles meet the business’ goals and strategies.  A review of this gap analysis ensures the management team and the Project Team are aligned with the same priorities. 

Enterprise Architecture

In addition, the Project Team will define a future Enterprise Architecture that meets the management team’s business goals and priorities. The Architecture defines the future network, hardware and system software; development environments, application frameworks, possible changes to the development lifecycle and technical skills required to support the new architecture. The Enterprise Architecture provides a long-term goal that sets the direction for all IT projects. The business should review and update annually the Enterprise Architecture in order to incorporate any new technologies and ensure it is still aligned with your long-term goals. 

Implementation Plan

After defining a long-term technical direction, the Project Team will deliver a Roadmap containing the steps required to close the gap between the current IT Architecture and the future Enterprise Architecture. The timing on the implementation phases may be immediate or more long term, depending the needs of the business. The Roadmap often serves as a major planning and budgeting document for the IT organization. As with the Enterprise Architecture, the Roadmap should be reviewed periodically to ensure progress and to update the steps to reflect new business conditions. Finally, the team creates detailed plans and estimates for the first set of projects based on using Spitfire’s SCRUM Methodology.

Staff Augmentation

While staff augmentation is not our most popular solution, it is sometimes necessary to maintain the most effective technology solution. Our consultants are all screened by our architects and developers for exceptional technical talent, business acumen and people skills. Learn more about our expert staffing options.

Contact The Spitfire Group  today and see how our efficient processes can help your business run better.