The framework process is split into the following phases allowing business users, business analysts and system developers to communicate the specification definitively and effectively,  therefore allowing the required solution to be completed accurately within an agreed time.

Requirements Phase

Requirements overview and initial project plan produced.

Requirements overview will detail : -

•  Project overview

• Definition of all primary system views required

• Definition of all deliverable system functions

• Definition of all system environmental requirements

• Development costs

• Risk analysis

• Level of post-implementation support required

Initial project plan will detail:

• Schedule for completion of project phases

• Schedule for project status reports and reviews

• Critical paths showing each deliverable system function

• List of resources to complete tasks within each project phase

Analysis Phase

Each deliverable system function item is effectively analysed using  use case analysis and a definitive list is produced.  Each input and output is explicitly defined and each process is described in plain English.  In addition each system view (screens, reports, files etc.) should be visually represented in the definitive analysis document produced.

Design Phase

Any environmental considerations detailed in the requirements phase should now be reviewed, finalised and implemented, such as : -

operating systems, development method (structured, object-oriented) development languages, database type (flat file, relational, object) etc.

Deliverables:

Design Document

The design document will show necessary system and business models.  The decisions taken in the design phase after the original requirements have been reviewed will determine the nature of models required.  For example, if Object-Oriented development is to be completed then a definitive class and object model will be required, and if a relational database is to be implemented then an entity-relationship model would be produced.

Project Plan

The project plan using MS Project will be updated with: completed milestones; the order of development; when system functions are to be delivered and when testing is to be completed.  In addition any estimates will be reviewed rigorously to give as accurate a picture as possible.

Systems Development

Development follows rigorous coding standards with full source version control.  The development is completed against the specification derived in the analysis phase and according to the models developed and the timetable agreed, in the design phase.

Close control of the project during this phase will be monitored against the project plan by reviewing progress through a combination of code inspections and unit tests.  Thus, reporting any additional resources and actions required for the project to keep to its schedule.

Quality Assurance

All deliverable system functions will be reviewed to ensure that they have been fully specified during the analysis phase.  Then the models and project plan created for the development schedule, during the design phase, will also be reviewed.  

These test phases will be followed to provide Quality Assurance :-

Unit Testing / Code Inspections

Completed during the development process by a combination of the systems development team and business analysts who will monitor progress and alert project management to required changes to the development as early as possible.

System Testing

Completed by business analysts for each deliverable system function against the specification derived during the analysis phase.  The timetable for this testing should be agreed during the design phase and must be signed-off by the customer.

Integration Testing

Testing of the overall system containing all the deliverable system functions should be completed in accordance with the project plan agreed during the design phase.

Regression Testing

Once the product has been implemented any upgrades should only be implemented after regression testing has been completed.  This may include automatic regression testing.

Implementation Phase

Available as requested to assist with the implementation of the product.

Services available include : -

• Configuration management
• Documentation for system functionality and procedures
• Testing Advice
•  Education and Training

This phase can also be completed as a CapMark business solution. 

Support Phase

CapMark are keen to provide excellent support, at the right level, to efficiently meet the requirements of business and support customers.