Q&A: Process

Published on Friday, July 26, 2019
Last updated Wednesday, October 25, 2023
3 min read

Are you involved in projects from inception to delivery, and if so, can you describe your role throughout the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?
Yes, I am deeply involved in projects from their inception to delivery. I operate in a hybrid role that blends UX design and development, which allows me to contribute to multiple facets of a project.

How does a new project typically start for you?
A new project usually kicks off with a briefing from our solutions architect and project manager. This sets the stage for what the project is about and what objectives we aim to achieve.

Can you elaborate on your role in the discovery phase?
In the discovery phase, I collaborate with the project manager and solutions architect to conduct interviews with clients and, when possible, their customers. My focus is on adopting a user-centered approach, aiming to understand the needs and pain points of the end-users, while my colleagues may focus more on business strategy.

What happens after the discovery phase?
Post-discovery, we move into the analysis phase. Here, we deep-dive into the problems identified, examine existing systems, and review data. At this stage, I also collaborate with another developer, typically one who has more experience in application architecture, to look at the project from a systems-centered perspective.

How do you transition into the design and ideation stage?
As we move into the design and ideation phase, my role pivots back to UX design. I work on creating wireframes and other UX artifacts. Once there's substantial agreement on these, I assist in onboarding the front-end designer to begin creating design comps.

Could you talk about your role in the development phase?
During the development stage, I shift into a full-stack developer role, working alongside at least one other developer. We typically use Kanban as our project management methodology, as it accommodates the diverse, multi-project workload that we handle and is easier for our non-technical managers to track.

What tools do you use for project management?
We've used a variety of tools, ranging from Jira to customized Google Sheets, to keep track of development progress.

How do you approach the project delivery?
After completing a significant chunk of development work, usually referred to as "Phase 1," we deliver a major release to the client. We then continue to roll out new features in smaller increments.

What happens after most of the development work is completed?
Once the majority of the development work is completed, we transition into a "maintenance mode" with our clients. This involves bug fixes and addressing any lingering issues in the backlog. For us, a project never truly ends; we view each launch as a milestone and aim to maintain a long-term relationship with our clients. By being involved in all these stages, I play a key role in ensuring that the project is not only technically sound but also user-centric, fulfilling both business and end-user needs.