Syncro offers a full range of software development services, easily adapted to meet your particular project needs. Each client determines the scope of our involvement based on the complexity of the project or by the size and skill set of the client’s own staff. Following is a brief overview of our services:
Effective software development begins with a clear understanding of product requirements. Syncro engineers can work with your team to define and document requirements, either based on your process or Syncro’s. We have extensive experience in translating end-user requirements to underlying software requirements, and then documenting them to provide a solid framework for subsequent design, implementation and test.
Software Design
Syncro design engineers transform Functional and Software Requirements into accurate, detailed Software Design Specifications - the blueprint for development. Each Syncro-developed system architecture balances ease of coding, functional efficiency and long-term supportability. During this stage, Syncro conducts Design Reviews with client staff to ensure that the proposed technical approach meets all client requirements.
The resulting design is documented using tools and methods approved by the client; a typical project uses Unified Modeling Language (UML) constructs to capture and model the design. This allows for effective review, as well as serving as the basis for subsequent implementation.
Development
Prior to the start of development, Syncro's Technical Project Manager meets with our client's team to discuss preferences for coding standards and development tools (including Software Configuration Management systems, requirements traceability, and automated testing). During the development stage, Syncro staff is exceptionally productive, greatly exceeding the industry average for Lines of Code per day.Software is developed iteratively, with periodic interim software releases which allow the client to closely track progress and ensure that the deliverable meets requirements. Syncro’s flexible approach to development ensures that functional or design changes can be easily accommodated.
Quality Assurance
Working closely with the client, the Syncro team develops a comprehensive Test Plan. Typically, test scripts are written during this stage and automated testing tools are utilized where appropriate. Depending on client preference, Syncro can also manage end-stage QA, beta testing, and phased roll-out.
Documentation and Hand-off
At Syncro, we measure success by how well a client can support and maintain the resulting software. Accordingly, we place a strong emphasis on effective documentation to ensure easy understanding and support by client staff. During the hand-off stage, all documentation is updated and reviewed with the client.
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 About Our Technical Project Managers The Technical Project Manager assigned to your project does much more than just update Gantt charts. Since this individual is an experienced software engineer, he/she plays a critical role in overseeing the effort, while actively participating in development and review of software design and code. Additionally,
the Technical Project Manager is your primary Syncro liaison,
keeping you abreast of project progress and concerns via weekly
progress reports and ad hoc phone calls, emails and meetings. |
Professional Project Management is critical to the success of every Syncro engagement. Each project begins with a joint client/Syncro kick-off meeting in which key personnel review the proposal, identify and clarify open issues, exchange documents and equipment, and start the project's Analysis and Design phase.
Once the Software
Design Specifications are finalized, the Project Leader prepares a comprehensive
Project Plan, including a schedule and staffing assignments. At
this stage, initial estimates have been revised to reflect additional information obtained
during the Analysis and Design phase. A Work Breakdown Structure
is created from the detailed list of tasks to be accomplished.
Syncro's
approach to monitoring the project involves identifying a large number
of small, specifically definable tasks. Each task is tracked as
either "not yet begun" or "completed".
This avoids the common "85% complete" phenomenon which many
projects fall victim to. In this way, overall project status can
be tracked very accurately.
Effective client communications is a key element of Syncro's proven
approach to project management. During the first two weeks,
your technical project manager contacts you frequently to discuss progress and
open issues. At the two-week point, a Syncro senior manager schedules
a "confidence check" to ensure compliance and client satisfaction.
Through the project, written Progress Reports are
delivered to you every Monday. Your Syncro Technical Project
Manager will also call to review the report with you, focusing on progress
during the previous week, plans for the current week, and any issues
that may impact project success. Syncro senior management remains involved and easily
accessible throughout the project.
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Technical Training
Syncro offers technical training to client staff in such areas as UML (Unified Modeling Language), and Windows internals. Instead of a traditional “classroom” setting, Syncro engineers provide training in the context of the client’s actual development project. Concepts are immediately applied to the project currently underway, resulting in more effective learning.Technical Consultation
Syncro engineers are available to apply their specialized expertise to consultation projects, such as researching alternative technologies, rapidly prototyping potential solutions, and designing and executing performance analysis studies. These efforts have helped clients quickly decide on optimal approaches and designs in order to accelerate the product development effort.End-user Documentation Services
Should there be a need for assistance with end-user documentation (e.g., on-line help, user manuals, tutorials) Syncro can help.
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