The implementation of IT projects in Fild.NET
Below there is a description of how we usually implement IT projects in Fild.NET. However if a client has its own IT project management practices and wants to keep them in working with us, we adapt to these requirements.
Activities before signing the cooperation agreement
At the stage before signing the cooperation agreement, there are usually a few personal meetings during which a Fild.NET’s consultant analyzes the problem of a client and proposes a solution. When an agreement is finally reached as a result of the talks – regarding both the proposed solution as well as business matters (e.g. how the project is going to be accounted – per hour or for final effect) – the next activities run along two lines. A Fild.NET’s representative, responsible for technical issues, determines with his counterpart on the client side all the technical details of the planned offshore IT project, such as which a VPN is going to be used (of a client or of Fild.NET), tools for video-conferencing (e.g. Microsoft OCS or Skype) and for exchange of materials (e.g. SharePoint). On the other hand a project manager of Fild.NET along with a lawyer are engaged in developing a contract and bringing it to the acceptance. Until the moment the contract is signed, most communication between the client and Fild.NET is done remotely (by phone, e-mail, video-conferencing).
IT project implementation
After signing the contract, the project manager of Fild.NET meets with the client’s authorized technical staff. They determine the details of the principles of communication during the project and how the progress of the project is going to be reported. A solution typically recommended for this purpose by Fild.NET is the Kanban project management system.
Figure 1- A Kanban system sample page used by Fild.NET for managing projects, showing the progress of work and notes of team members
The client can use it to follow the current progress and to submit own comments. The system is available after logging in via the Internet. It is intuitive and very easy to use. However it is also possible to report progress with the means of another tool, if that is a wish of the client.
After establishing all the necessary details, a Fild.NET’s team of offshore IT developers starts its work and subsequently creates a solution. It is then tested. After testing, the project manager of Fild.NET goes with another visit to the client and installs the prepared software in the client’s environment. If there is a need to change some settings, the project manager contacts remotely with his offshore IT developer team, which prepares him all the necessary amendments. This phase may be repeated several times until the final version of the solution is developed. It is then tested again – this time both in the client’s and Fild.NET’s IT environment. After the completion of testing and implementation of amendments (if necessary), the client receives the prepared documentation related to the developed solution. The workshops are also conducted in which the client can learn how to use the new solution. Next the client signs the solution acceptance document and Fild.NET issues an invoice for the service.
Support after the project
After completion of the project, a service agreement is prepared and signed, unless the client has expressed such a need in the earlier stages of the project. The agreement guarantees the client expected by him scope of assistance when using the prepared solution. When carrying out maintenance services, Fild.NET also uses the Kanban project management system, which offers special features in this area, as well as such tools as SharePoint (for the exchange of materials) and Microsoft OCS or Skype (for video-conferencing).