Our Approach

Step 1: Identify Project Scope

It is critical to have a core team to manage the project throughout its development to ensure that: the vision is maintained; there is dynamic ongoing learning; and, there is continuity to allow for effective and rapid deployment of the initiative. The core team should be expanded/complemented with skill sets necessary to accomplish specific tasks.

Step 1 deliverables include:

Project Scope documentation to include:

• Technical Assessment
• Development objectives, priorities, risks and opportunities

Step 2: Plan Development

The core team, lead by Sencia and supported by “subject matter experts” from a member of your team, will create clear concise planning documents in Step 2. Numerous critical documents will, in their entirety, create the “strategic road map” for the initiative and provide the foundation for project execution.

Documents delivered in this phase vary with project size but all focus on the interrelated elements necessary to build a fully functional and scalable Internet-enabled infrastructure that will meet your needs.

Step 2 deliverables include:

Plan documents such as:

• E-Commerce Strategy Definition
• Business Processes/Requirements
• System Architecture
• Technology requirements and resources
• Implementation plan and cost ranges

Revised Project Scope document (as necessary).

Step 3: Creative and Technical Specifications Development

Using Sencia’s methodology to define the User Experience (UE), solutions are explored to provide results-driven solutions, intuitive navigation, key functionalities, brand continuity and systems integration. By employing technical and creative specifications, Sencia will provide you with leading-edge, value-added solutions. You will be required to approve the technical specifications and creative blueprint before the start of Step 4 - technical development. The technical specifications are used for the balance of the project. Any change to the technical specifications will result in a change to the scope and potentially the timing and cost of the project.

Step 3 deliverables include:

Technical Specifications for the User Experience (UE)

• Functionality delivery plan
• Content and functional outline
• Outline of secure areas, site administration tools, cookie usage, etc.

Creative Blueprint for the User Interface (UI)

• Communication strategy
• Graphic design strategy
• Site navigation map

Step 4: Technical Development

Based upon the technical specifications, the development of the User Interface (UI) and application programming will proceed. The project schedule will be modified to contain appropriate and timely client review milestones.

Step 4 deliverables include:

Once completed, the site will be ready for your testing. When available, Sencia will preview portions of the site to clients while it is being developed. We find this approach allows clients to get a preview of how the site is progressing.

Step 5: Conduct Testing

During the development phase, designers and programmers will be continuously testing their work to ensure there are no issues materially affecting functionality. Sencia also subscribes to a two-step testing strategy consisting of Alpha and Beta stages.

During the Alpha stage, the Web site will be tested in-house at Sencia to ensure it meets the criteria established in the technical specification. Any problem areas will be addressed and tested again within the Alpha stage. Upon completion of the Alpha testing stage, the product will be released to both the client and Sencia for Beta testing.

Step 6: Deployment and Training

Based on the Alpha and Beta test results, Sencia completes its analysis, refines it as necessary and delivers all necessary documentation to the client representative’s team. During this period, Sencia trains appropriate staff to administer content requirements.

Once all testing has been completed, the Web Site will be formally launched.