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how do you get the most out of applying external resources to your projects?
what type of services and resources are needed for your project?
how can the value and quality of a developed solution be assured ?
what is knowledge and experience worth if you do not share it?
what are you looking for in the partnering resource for your project?
adlast
process
The approach to successful solution development often predicts the value and quality of of the developed solution. At adlast we follow a documented process defining our work-flow designed to ensure that the scope of a project never looses focus but equally important: it guarantees that innovative and progressive solutions are always considered and evaluated - after all, the biggest successes were not based on doing "it" like everybody else.
Furthermore, our process is designed to enable us to work as a synergistic component of our clients' existing in-house organization appreciating and applying their internal capacities but never forgetting that we, as consultants, bear the sole responsibility for the value of the final solution and the satisfaction of our clients.
While the tasks might differ from one project to another, the objective remains the same: on time - on budget. At adlast we apply milestoning aggressively to help our clients confidently meet their internal deadlines and budgets - you will know what to expect and when to expect it.
Finally, quality assurance is an integral part of what adlast does and therefore it is also integrated into our work-flow. Parameters covering technical and scientific merit of developed solutions as well as honouring agreed milestones and meeting client expectations are core components and help us to continuously improve our process and services to the scientific community.
The following provides a stepwise overview of our process from inception to the post-completion assessment. We apply the same process to all assignments adjusting the extent of the individual phases according to the type of assignment.
p1-8 indicates the project phases, m1-3 the milestones and q1-4 the incorporated quality control steps.
p1
The inception of a project is perhaps the most critical phase, as this is where the goal is defined.
Following the initial contact by the client we work closely together to understand and define the goal as well as assessing current state.
Preferably, we also establish contact with internal client resources to understand how we can best support the project.
p2
Following the inception a maturation process commences with the goal of developing a draft charter.
This phase includes assessing the gap between current and future state and exploration of possible routes and required resources internally as well as externally.
As a central component of the draft charter the scope and Δ-time-line is defined and agreed upon.
p3
q1
Based on the draft charter and the available internal resources of the client, we can assess the need for specialist support and prepare a suggestion for named consultant(s) for the project.
When the client approves the suggested consultant(s), we establish availability and negotiate the fee for the required services.
The charter is finalized and a quotation is issued.
p4
m1
The charter forms the basis for finalizing the project plan with identified consultant(s) specifying what is needed and when.
This is done after negotiations with the client to ensure that the goal, scope and how to get there is completely agreed upon by all parties.
When the charter and project plan is agreed upon an agreement is signed between the parties and the project is ready for execution.
p5
q2
This phase naturally depends on the type of service agreed upon, but the project plan forms the basis.
Deviations from plan are common to many projects but any significant deviations will be documented following our quality assured change control procedure and will require the client's approval.
Depending on the type of project, the execution phase will include regularly scheduled updates.
p6
m2
q3
The outcome of a project will be reported according to the agreed upon format and the preparation of the report typically results in communication to ensure that all issues are addressed properly and that conclusions and recommendations are formulated to facilitate implementation.
At the end of this phase the final report is issued and presented in the chosen format.
p7
m3
When any post-reporting tasks have been performed according to the agreement it is time to complete and thereby close the project and/or the service.
Formally this is done in the format requested by the client, but will always include the client's written approval and acceptance of the service rendered. A meeting is preferred as it provides an opportunity to discuss emerged challenges and our performance.
p8
q4
The follow-up is an integral part of our client satisfaction and continuous improvement processes.
We invite the client to complete a CSQ and with client acceptance, we will schedule a meeting 3 months after the completion of the service to assess impact and value of our contribution as well as overall satisfaction with the collaboration.
inception
scope
charter
agreement
execution
reporting
completion
follow-up
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