Blueprint Studios' Process Our Methodology assures our involvement does not stop with the delivery of a written plan. Blueprint Studios' commitment to your project extends through launch and beyond. We believe if your goals are met, our goals are met ensuring a long lasting relationship with our clients. DISCOVERY Strategic Planning We provide research, analysis and planning, to help our clients identify and determine the projects direction. Deliverables can include usability, user testing, site architecture and a Blueprint of the work to be performed. Requirements Gathering Working in partnership with our clients, we investigate core business needs and determine what is necessary to achieve the desired goals. Deliverables include a functional specifications document and if necessary an updated project schedule. Prototyping/Wire frames We collaborate with our clients to develop the sites blueprint/architecture that accomplishes the strategic goals and communicates those goals effectively. Deliverables include a click through shell and demonstrates the navigation and flow of the solution. This is not a creative prototype but a functional prototype allowing our customers to ensure the functionality is correct before actual programming begins. Context Diagram This simple yet effective diagram attempts to define and illustrate the external systems or processes, which interact with the target system. Risk Analysis This is where a critical review of the system requirements are captured. Here potential risks are identified and suggestions to mitigate them, should they arise. DESIGN Design Prototyping With input from our clients we develop the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the application based on the strategic goals. We provide several compelling interface designs and refine them until one best communicates the client's message. Application Design Building from the requirements gathered earlier, we define a complete description of the system we are going to build. This includes conception and design of the technical specifications, as well as implementation of the functional solution. Navigation Model Data relationships are identified and data usage is analyzed to produce normalized and optimized data stores and structures. DEVELOP System Development Strategy, creative design and programming comes together when we integrate the user interface layer of the system, the front end, with the backend infrastructure, the database, external systems and the heart of the system. Hosting Environment At this point we develop the hosting environment locally within our own production facility, which will later be ported to the hosting provider of choice mirroring the production environment to ensure a smooth transition. DEPLOY Testing/QA We validate that the system is complete and that it works correctly on all targeted platforms and connection speeds. Strategy, look and feel, and infrastructure are put to the test until our team, and our clients are satisfied. Launch At launch we migrate the entire application to its hosting environment. This phase requires close coordination between our team, our clients IT staff, and the hosting staff. End-User Training To complete understanding and impact to business, we will train and review application and infrastructure with appropriate staff to assure application acceptance and maximum return on investment. End-User Training sessions are held to teach users how to use the system effectively. DEBRIEF In this final phase, the project is tested, and all performance and system features have been verified. Additionally, a Maintenance & Transition Plan is delivered to help the system administrators troubleshoot and maintain the system. This plan is also used to help transition the project to the internal IS staff if needed. Blueprint will also deliver a Style Guide which allows administrators to quickly reference necessary information relevant to modifications, enhancements, content incorporation and design standards.