METHODOLOGY

Waterfall Methodology

The pure Waterfall Method is a linear approach that treats the steps of a project as separate, distinct phases and completes each phase of the project in a sequential manner in which each phase depends on the completion and approval of preceding phases with its own distinct goals.
In reality, there is some overlap between the phases for handover, but the general idea is that the phases happen consecutively and not concurrently.

Progress flows from the top to the bottom, like a waterfall, with little room for change through the process, as per the waterfall analogy, once the water has gone over the edge, you cannot get it back.
The Waterfall Method basically consists of one single iteration and assumes that each phase can be completed with minimal changes to the phase before it. So a late breaking change in requirements means backtracking to redo work from previous phases. Also testing is only done when the completed product is ready and where defects are most costly to fix.

This linear approach is one of its strengths and allows greater control over the project through planning the future in every detail. If each stage is delivered on time within the overall limits, the project itself will be completed on time. All this allows the Waterfall method to be very predictable which is comforting for people looking after the budgets and reason why so widely used.

The central idea behind the Waterfall method is that time spent upfront will ensure project success towards the end.
The Waterfall Method is particular used when requirement specifications are quite clear and interaction with the client is limited.

Agile Methodology

The pure Agile Method is an iterative approach with short iterations that breaks tasks into small increments with minimal planning, with the highest priority requirements scheduled for the earliest iterations. Each iteration involves a team including the client working on a very small subset of the whole scope through the relevant part of the life cycle.
In fact, each iteration is like a mini-waterfall project, which focuses only on the highest priority requirements, with some steps happening alongside each other.

The focus is obtaining the smallest workable piece of functionality, in short development bursts (scrums), that the client can see in order to deliver business value early, and continually improving it and adding further functionality throughout the life of the project. This way it lets the project adapt to changes quickly. Analysis of requirements takes place just prior to the iteration and focuses only on the requirements that have been given a high enough priority to be developed in the next iteration.

A late breaking change in requirements can be prioritized appropriately and placed into an upcoming iteration with as little rework as possible.
The Agile Method also allows the product to be launched after each stage and, thus, allows extensive testing of each stage. This eliminates bugs in later stages.

Client collaboration is given supreme attention as requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between the client (end users) and the team. This allows the Agile method to be very adaptable, meaning it will adapt quickly to changing realities as and when they happen, but as such it is difficult to say with any certainty exactly what will be working on a few iterations down the line.

The thinking behind the Agile method is that it enables to adapt and optimize at a very early stage, and keep costs down. Using this method one can quickly present a clickable prototype. This gives the client the opportunity to adopt and experience the site concept and functional design before it is actually built. Any insight gained in this stadium is worth its weight in gold and almost always leads to a better end result.
The Agile Methodology is particular used when continuous communication, short iterations, repeated reviews, and frequent deliveries to the client is needed.

For webdesign and webdevelopment of websites and web applications we follow as much as possible the following phases in the combined Waterfall-Agile Methodology:

Strategy and Concept

We start by interviewing you to learn about your organization, business, competitors, and overall objectives.
You will follow an interactive and creative process in which we define the web strategy, web concept and the online corporate design.

Then, we work closely with you to define the site architecture of the website or web application.
Our goal is to define a site architecture that is well organized, intuitive, and flexible enough to handle your future growth.

All of this is done together with you, after all, you are the expert concerning content and that is why you will stay involved during all the phases.
By combining your expertise with ours, you are sure of a profound translation of your objectives to the right requirement specifications and ultimately the right web solution.

This approach will further prevent discussion about scope and costs, both during the different phases and afterwards.

Design and Development

We translate the web concept into a functional, graphical and technical design (to last) which typically results in a clickable prototype. This way we assure clarity for all concerned. It also becomes easier to implement any changes in the project.

We interview you to determine what types of graphical designs you prefer. We’ll ask you to send us examples of some of your favorite designs, and explanations of what you like about each design. We then create graphical design concepts for you to review. Based on your feedback, revisions are made to the designs until you are completely satisfied.

We strive to create a site that is not only visually (look and feel) appealing, but that is also intuitive, easy to use and accessible (usability). The objective is to allow your target customers to quickly and easily find the information they need.

Our goal is to develop a strong online branding (identity) for your organization that your target audience can identify with and create confidence in doing business with you.
We want the quality of the site to reflect the outstanding quality of your organization.

Most clients already have a logo and branding established when they come to us. In those cases, we use the existing logo and branding and tie it into the site so that your identity remains consistent.

Build and Test

Now that the site architecture and graphical design have been set, it is time to build (to change). We will code the graphical design into actual webpages of the site.
Placeholder text is used in place of the real text. At this stage, we will post the site online for you to review and try out. This will allow you to see how the webpages look, and to navigate from page to page. Any revisions that you request are made, until everything is just right.

Also, during this phase the production and entry of content will take place: a time consuming and intensive process in which we can support you both in areas of productions as well as content entry. We then ask that you start collecting or writing the text for each page of the site. As you send us the text, we post it to the site for you to see. Images or photographs are also added on a page-by-page basis.
At the same time, we continue to work on other components of the new site such as Flash animations that might be needed. As things get completed, they are posted online for you to review.

After extensive testing for Quality Assurance by us, we will deliver the version of the site to you for User Acceptance Testing (UAT). You will be sure that the application does what has been agreed and that you will receive what you have paid for. All of the test results and corresponding statuses will be determined in a special developed environment. In this way we keep sight on all the open issues.

Once the test results are fine the site is ready to launch. If applicable, we plan also migration of data from existing applications.

Promote and Market

Before/after your site is online, we will promote your website and increase your website's visibility to get more visitors to your website through: submitting your website to the major search engines, higher ranking in search engines like Google with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and advertisements in the ‘’Sponsored Links’’ with Pay-Per-Click (PPC) paid text advertising campaigns like Google Adwords and other ways to be seen on the internet that provide high Return On Investment (ROI).

Once visitors arrive at your website, we will convert more visitors become customers to get higher conversion results and as result also increase in ROI.

Host and Maintenance

Once the site is ready to launch, we will help you to choose a web hosting provider and do all the final technical and organizational steps to bring the new site live and online.
Of course this won’t be done regardless: After the site goes live we will give you all the extra support needed.

You can update your website or web application on your own using a Content Management System (CMS), which has no ongoing costs. If you need us for more complex maintenance tasks or implementation of new wishes, then we are here to help. We are here whenever you need us, on a moment’s notice, now and into the future.
We operate throughout maintenance contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). You will have your fixed contact person and your own client portal, that keeps you updated with the status of you wishes or issues presented by you. In this way you will know exactly where you stand.

We see our relationship with the client as a continuing process, where thanks to monitoring and analysis, there is always room for improvement and further development.

Each project will be performed by a team of different disciplines of which the project manager will be the fixed focal point for the client. The project manager safeguards the planning and budget and will inform the client about the progress. Thanks to our methodology the client keeps control in every phase and does gets ultimately what he had in mind.

Finally, Let us try you to understand our responsibilities also from these cartoons why we distinguish from others to achieve the best result by working closely together with you!