For every project that CircleSource undertakes, we follow a detailed model. It allows our clients to know exactly what to expect and our team to work more seamlessly and efficiently. Most importantly, this model ensures the highest level of quality.

Team Structure

We designate a project team made up of all essential skill sets.  The teams typically are: a project manager, several developers, an iteration manager, and a quality engineer. The iteration manager is primarily responsible for iteration and release plans. The development team is responsible for coding new functionality in a given iteration. The QA engineer is responsible for daily regression testing, determining what story cards will be delivered at the end of each iteration, and preparing release notes for each delivery.

Planning

Prior to development, we create a release plan which is a flexible document updated regularly. Each release plan iteration has a bundle of story cards and functionality. The release plan may be ever shifting, but it is an essential tool. It provides a view of what may be achievable, allows us to evaluate options, and helps us to assess the effects of project related events.

Analysis

Once a release plan is established, but before the next iteration begins, the domain experts meet and discuss the upcoming functionality. After reaching consensus on the details of how the functionality should work, the iteration manager divides the responsibility of incorporating that functionality in the product. Relevant test scenarios are laid out and expanded to the final tests to necessarily and sufficiently test the functionality of the story card.

Development

When a plan is in place and analysis has been completed, the developers add the iteration's new functionality. Throughout the course of development, they work closely with the domain experts and with each other to complete the development tasks assigned to them during the planning meeting.

Quality Assurance

Through all steps in the process, the QA manager runs regressions tests to ensure the quality of functionality delivered in previous iterations.

Success

CircleSource includes success as a part of any project from the first iteration. The success planning meeting clearly states the iteration goals to both the team and the client. Every iteration goes through significant improvement and the whole team initiates these improvements. Success is attained more easily when it is planned from the beginning of a project.