An Agile project typically starts with a Blueprint Phase followed by multiple relatively short “Sprints” of design and development work, usually between 2-6 weeks in duration. At the beginning of each sprint, the team works closely with the client to select the most important or desirable features to implement in that sprint, and discuss detailed requirements and test cases for those features. At the end of each sprint, the team makes the completed features available on a staging/test server where clients can review the progress to date and give feedback to be incorporated into future sprints. This process is repeated until the client decides that the site is ready to go live. Clients receive informative progress updates throughout the project, including budget tracking and charts detailing the progress on features and tasks.

Project Phases

Blueprint
Each project commences with a kick-off phase involving members of the team from The Level and the client. We work together to understand your goals, objectives, assumptions and risks for the project. This often involves a user story session where we work to identify key users and establish a shared understanding of how those key users will use the system. We then document a high level list of desired features called a Feature Backlog. Clients own the Feature Backlog and can update it at any time, as long as they keep everything prioritized. The team then uses this list to estimate and sketch out sprints and timelines in order to paint a roadmap for successful project completion. The number and duration of sprints will be determined in this phase.

Design & Develop
The first Sprint of a project often starts with Design. The Level’s team is available to assist with the design of the interface and information architecture of your web application, however we will often work with a client’s own designers or design agency of choice. We recommend following the principles of user-centered design, which involves usability analysis and the development of user stories and personas.

Working in small, well-defined teams, The Level will implement the approved design, install the content management system and configure the functionality for your web application. Each Sprint will include time for technical design, documentation, unit testing and integration testing. Documentation will be made available to your team. Every week we provide a progress report so clients stay informed on the project.

Train & Enter Content
Non-technical contributors and administrators of the content management system will be trained on all aspects of using the content management system. Product user manuals are provided with each training session. Also in this phase, content will begin to be ported from any existing applications and new content will be entered into the site.

Test & Launch
In this final phase, we usually conduct a thorough test of all the features and functionality of the site and prepare it for launch. This often includes reviewing all main features and functionality for different user groups, performance testing and optimizations, data migration, setting up security and workflow, documentation of any customizations, and finalizing the server environment and linkages to external systems/sites. Once the client gives the green light for the site to go live, the team then makes all the necessary preparations, moves the changes from the staging/test environment to the live environment, and conducts a series of final tests to ensure a successful launch. We will then complete a project audit in preparation for ongoing support.

Support
Our team is available post-launch to assist you in maintaining your web applications. For customers on a Gold Support Plan, this includes access to 24x7 support from trained developers. Customers on Bronze or Silver Plans can access support during business hours. Each of The Level’s Support Plans includes a Service Level Agreement. Please note that Support Plans do not typically include support hours so we recommend you allocate some in anticipation of additional work post-launch.