Affinity is an award-winning provider of technology and digital communication solutions, specialising in software development for today’s needs and tomorrow’s dreams.
Second only to technical expertise, project (or process management) is at the core of everything we do and ensures smooth, fast and cost-effective delivery. Harmony is the key. Working with, rather than simply for, our clients gives us a synergy that translates into all aspects of a project - large or small. We utilise Agile or Waterfall process management techniques as appropriate and have recently developed our very own Hybrid methodology.
Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there, (Will Rogers).
Many of our clients are seeking a traditional waterfall engagement and we equally welcome that approach
We are realists – we know that a full Agile engagement across company boundaries is hard to achieve and also in an uncertain world that Waterfall requirements can and do change
Our full Agile project process works on an iterative backlog definition and refinement cycle that feeds into our core development scrum process
The waterfall model of project management describes each phase of your project taking place chronologically, so that progress flows steadily downward like a waterfall.
Within this system, all requirement gathering and design is done during pre-contract operations by meeting our stakeholders on site, getting to know them and ensuring we thoroughly understand the project.
Waterfall is a time-tested system inherited from much older industries such as construction, where it was costly to go back and change something once it had been completed. So before any coding takes place, Affinity produce a Project Specification Document (PSD) which details the scope, specification and approach to be agreed by the client.
Because the waterfall system is sequential and linear, it is much easier for non-technical individuals to understand. It can therefore be the lingua franca between teams of developers, designers, and clients and make for a smoother-running project. There is no need for an MBA to understand the graphs, the waterfall method makes sense right on the page.
Affinity is able to deploy multiple waterfall methodologies, including PRINCE2®, PMP® & PMI® as well as other project management systems such as Agile, depending on the particular demands of the project.
This is Affinity’s own project methodology which combines the best of both agile and waterfall management techniques. The system works just as rapids on a river do - always flowing downhill (like a waterfall) yet always find the easiest and most appropriate course at any one time (with great agility). Thus our clients get the ‘best of both worlds’ – a sequential, understandable management system yet which incorporates flexibility and therefore allows for changes and adaption as the project demands.
The Agile project management system is based upon continuous developer and stakeholder input alongside regular live feedback which allows for improvements to be made at every stage of the process.
Designers and developers at Affinity need to react quickly and without hindrance to changing circumstances and client needs. Agile is a highly flexible system that allows for rapid, non-linear changes to a live project whilst keeping it firmly on deadline. Fast reaction times are built into the DNA of our business, and client input is always an important and continuing part of this cycle.
Affinity’s design, development and coding teams work together in one coherent unit and always together with our clients. Thus they can adapt quickly and provide solutions to problems (sometimes even before they arise!). If your needs change or a new technology arrives that can do the task better, we can change course in an instant without losing time or work.
With the Agile project management system, our multi-disciplinary groups can focus on just you and the product, with you as part of the working team. The process is transparent and open, and gives everybody have flexibility to adapt and evolve as we move forward.
Should you prefer, Affinity is also able to deploy waterfall methodologies to manage your project such as PRINCE2®, PMP® & PMI® or a mix of both.