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Engagement

This engagement was to manage the Development (2 outside suppliers),Test and Implementation teams through the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) making extensive changes to 3 strategic business applications. Occupational Health from Access to Oracle; Instant Booking System – functionality and performance enhancements; Corporate Broker Commission System – responsible for £330 million turnover, converted from Paradox under DOS to 3 tier client architecture, VB, Microsoft Transaction Server and Oracle.

Solution

The projects, resource and costs were monitored using MS-Project. Tests were planned/executed and defects tracked using Test Director. Code was managed and versioned using PVCS Version Manager. Performance testing was done using WinRunner and LoadRunner. User expectation was managed throughout via regular update briefings leading to final signoff prior to implementation.

For all 3 projects, despite the system specifications being walked through and signed off, testing threw up different interpretations on the exact functionality. Extensive system testing using Test Director's Requirements,Test Plan and Test Lab methodology and the ability to log and track defects via Defect Manager led to most problems being found early in the SDLC. This made the User Testing experience relativeley defect free. Lengthy discussions took place with the users around spec interpretation and scope creep.

The projects benefited tremendously from the developers, testers and users working together on the same site.

A routine of 'morning prayers' at 0930 and 'afternoon tea' at 1600 informal talk and chalk meetings were routine, where progress against plan and issues were discussed amongst all team members. The outcome of these meetings were communicated to the Project Manager. This method of communication worked extremely well. Tele and Video conferencing was used to reduce costs.Where outside suppliers were involved,VPN access was setup to facilitate support during an agreed warranty period.

Attention to detail and a low level 'sequence of events' check list proved invaluable prior to and during the implementation weekends. Many of the implementation tasks were 'trialled' prior to the implementation weekend to eliminate 'surprises'. Things like timings, security access, code deployment, standardisation of desktops etc were all extensively researched/tested.

Despite best efforts performance testing was incomplete due to the complex nature of the architecture and LoadRunner setup.