Systems

We help make big and complex projects easier to understand and implement. Our proprietary quality management methodology, SQM3, which is based on ISO and IEEE standards, ensures that projects, processes and products of IT initiatives meet quality goals and contractual requirements.  We also stand-up and operate PMOs for technology projects.

Our DitDah™ project management methodology is named after the dots (Dits) and dashes (Dahs) of Morse Code. We chose this name because we were inspired by the way Morse Code revolutionized communication and business practices by bridging gaps of time and space to bring people together.  The DitDah™ method strengthens PMBOK’s task-based approach to project strategy by focusing on the people side of projects.  DitDah™ increases strategic partnerships, healthy project teams, and individual contributions. 

We also draw on other standards including those from the International Organization for Standardization, Capability Maturity Model Integration, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Project Management Body of Knowledge. Our SQM3™ methodology delivers value by adapting to our customers’ development approaches rather than forcing their projects to adapt to our assessment methods. In addition to these standards, we leverage our proprietary framework, Predictive Management, to help project teams forecast areas of risk. Predictive Management principles are based on 30 years of IT project management experience, and they address weaknesses that exist in all system development approaches. For example, we develop a set of project metrics to more accurately predict project completion dates based on project data. We then compare these metrics to the project’s planned performance to assess the plan’s veracity. Our IV&V reports are invaluable to managing decisions and maintaining multiple reporting relationships between agencies at the state and federal level.

We supplement the classic quality management approach to include forward-looking performance measures, based on our proprietary framework Predictive Management, to provide state and vendor teams with practical prevention recommendations based on empirical data. In addition, we configure our SQM3™ methodology for the unique needs of each project. We know that modern development methodologies, such as Agile and Modular strategies, need modern assessment and oversight. The result is early detection of defects as well as root causes of them, thereby providing realistic options for mitigating risks and quality issues.

We assist you by being proactive in determining certification activities and do not wait until the end of a project to consider certification needs. We believe that understanding the federal assessment standards and requirements up front will reduce risk to the funding stream.

Our approach is to verify appropriate levels of test planning, test execution, and test management are conducted throughout the software development lifecycle. Our teams validate test results as well as conduct independent tests to help support go-live decisions and avoid surprises in the delivered system.

We work with our clients to deliver internal and external network vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and firewall assessments to ensure there are no gaps in your defenses. Our services include Minimum Acceptable Risk Standards for Exchanges (MARS-E) assessments in accordance with CMS information security and privacy programs, which address mandates of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Our learning services can be paired with any of our consulting services to assist with system adoption and sustainability. We want our clients to thrive and we do this by offering knowledge-sharing capabilities through a variety of mediums; instructor-led, self-guided, learning, and more.