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SERVICES & PRACTICES 
TUESDAY 1.17.17
presented by Anna Mendoza at ZOOM ERRANDS
contents
INTRO
WHAT WE DO
HOW WE DO IT
LET'S GET STARTED
WHAT WE LEARNED
THANK YOU
 

hello

thank you for the invitation!

about us

 Starting a software build is often a taxing experience, 
 with many moving parts. Today we're talking about the  possible approaches of our teams working together.  

  Let's start by sharing how we work, our process and 
  current findings of the ZoomErrands application.  



discover / document / develop

what we do

  As a developer + design studio, we come together to 
  help our clients plan the best outcomes with equal  
  consideration to both disciplines. 

  While some shops focus more strongly on one set of   
  services, our combined strengths deliver to both 
  paradigms without suffering the details.   


we love details         

list of services

Design & Art Direction   |  UX & UI   | API Audits   |  Software Development   
Packaging & POP  |  Content Strategy & Campaign Development   

how we do it    

  Proposed Project Management Structure:  
  Tools & Methodology Explained  



Our project management structure is composed 

of several core items. These items work to 

enumerate and establish top-level components 

guiding all levels of development. 

how we do it    

  Research & Discovery 

We start by first capturing all vision & goals, opportunities & challenges, then prioritizing them.     A practice that ensures visibility to the entire team.

TRANSPARENCY IS A CORE GOAL

how we do it    

  Documentation  

Each documented item is displayed hierarchically in a production calendar, allowing to quickly observe all Initiatives, view a particular Initiative and its Tasks through a Kanban Board.

LET'S EXPLORE KANBAN                                                                 

how we do it    

  Development & Iteration:  Kanban  

Kanban is a new technique for managing software development in a highly efficient way, with roots in Toyota's "just-in-time" production system.               Activated via a pipeline whereby an informal ad hoc process is blended with a highly formal phased process, it allows for the agents of change to be included without the creation of bottlenecks.


HOW KANBAN WORKS

how we do it    

  Development & Iteration:  Kanban  

The classic Kanban is characterized with cards on large visible board, placed in columns displayed vertically and horizontally. A Project can be updated and it's Cards can reflect all changes, as they flow through a development cycle.  



HOW KANBAN WORKS

how we do it    

  Kanban Boards  

Each Board can be architected to reflect the existing protocol and procedures, highlight potential bottlenecks and the amount of work-in-progress at each step. For instance columns in a vertical board could be titled as PENDING, DOING, DONE.                                                                       SAMPLE HERE


AGENTS OF CHANGE                                                                              

how we do it    

  Kanban Cards  

Each Card can be architected to reflect the changing needs of each task and it's influence on other Card's completion. The visual nature of each card will display it's progress as the card moves from each column; which again manages bottlenecks and activates attention that inform leaders dynamically.  



AGENTS OF CHANGE

how we do it    

  Forecasting & Analytics  

Everyone's bandwidth can be observed, helping support the availability of a team member's work protocol. This allows for collaboration between leadership, a key need that helps transact progress effectively.  



AGENTS OF CHANGE

how we do it    

  Initiatives? An Overview:  

Each initiative is defined and organized by the following set of properties, which inform it's goals from a top-level perspective  first by our client.   




WE LISTEN & DOCUMENT   

how we do it    

  The Properties of an Initiative include:  

  • Title 
  • Description 
  • Goals 
  • Checklist 
  • Category 
  • Associated Initiatives 
  • Status - Implemented by Swimming Lanes 
  • Proposed Start Date 
  • Due Dates 
  • Priority 
  • Assessment 
  • Archive / History 
  • List of Tasks 
  • Membership 
  • Email Alerts & Rss Feeds 

    how we do it    

      Tasks? An Overview:  

    Each task will be organized with a similar set of properties from the same Kanban board. A creative brief will be furnished noting each task's objectives, whom it will be tasked to, deadlines, etc. The properties of each task are often the same as initiatives, yet are more specific to heighten focus.                           



    MORE LISTENING & DOCUMENTING : )   

    how we do it    

      The Properties of a Task include:  

    • Title 
    • Description 
    • Status - Implemented by Swimming Lanes  
    • Proposed Start Date 
    • Creative Brief - this will be furnished for review.
    • Owner of a Task

    QUESTIONS COMMENTS?     

    let's get started    

      Proposed Workflow: Requirements Gathering 

    Let's begin with an iterative whiteboard spec.
    The classic experience of documenting it on a whiteboard, sticky notes and pencil sketches         and all...

    Phase 1: Document & Task Management

    let's get started    

      Proposed Workflow: Requirements Gathering 

    • what's the status of the application?
    • what needs to be built out?
    • what have been the problems to date?

    • Let's try listing all potential Scenarios today
    • In parallel to this initial requirements gathering 
      we will be the drafting our own set of expected Scenarios
      and furnishing them in a Gherkin document. 

    Phase 1:  Document & Task Management

       What are the re-usable concepts?  

    Each Initiative will be expresses as one 'board'. 

    Each task its own ticket. Each function inside the task, will include its own set of requirements. 

    A combo of Basecamp and Trello can then be generated (TBD). 

    All features and tasks will be prioritized based on complexity rating (TBD).  


    Basically today is about listening.






     We're organizing complexity into 
     simple reusable design patterns 

    let's get started    

      Proposed Workflow: Sample of Documentation  

    • The work will be documented as a static document to ensure we are indeed correct with all assumptions

    • Once each task has been accepted through static documentation, the development of an interactive version generally ensues


    Phase 2:  Provide Sample of Documenation

    let's get started    

      Proposed Workflow: Final comments from all Stakeholders  

    • Based on client review, iterate forward and gain full acceptance. ( TBD ) 

    • Final comments to be captured via Notabl.com Each comment will be tracked back to the ticket created per task generated. ( TBD )


    Phase 3:  Client Feedback 

    reduce

    I'm going to wrap it up here with 

    4 parallels that are worth noting.

    2 that are indirections and 2 that

    are total complements. 

    Parallel No.1   

    Abstract Semantics


      Everything is an object.   

      So how often are we saying:  WHERE IS 'IT' ? ? ?  

      If our syntax needs love, we'll tell you.   

    Parallel No.2   

    Patterns are Everywhere

      Design & Realization of Patterns  
      are now more than ever intertwined  
      making this a major cross-over.  

    Parallel No.3

    Why We Build

      Problem solving at it's core  
      For purpose + necessity  
      For functional outcomes  
      Efficiency a big driver  
      Let's build something to change the world!  

    Parallel No.4             

    Interesting Development Cycles

      Architecture is driven by concepts, theories and DRAWING  
       Programming is driven by concepts, theories and WRITING 




    THANK YOU!

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