Our Process

The main feature of the XP process is its iterative nature, which differs significantly from the Waterfall methodology of completing one phase (analysis, design, develop, test & deploy) before proceeding to the next. The normal course of our projects is as follows:

1. Initial Discovery
   1. identifies the major features of the system
   2. Recorded on story cards (see below)
   3. Usually about a week in duration
2. Iteration
   1. Planned individually using knowledge gained up to this iteration
   2. Refines stories and identifies test cases
   3. Yields a working system
   4. 2-4 weeks in duration
3. Repeat step 2 as long as there is a positive ROI for the iteration
   1. Milestone iterations are put into operation

We still do all same activities required for each phase of the Waterfall methodology, but we do just enough to complete each iteration. This means that there are no big up-front analysis and design phases with their associated big documents. Instead, the knowledge is captured on story cards that can be organized in a number of different ways depending on the needs of the readers and the progress of the project. Furthermore, story cards only get created (or elaborated) when there is a need.

To better understand this process, an understanding of story cards is required.

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