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Risk Mitigation
Businesses are concerned with having safeguards in place to assure that they will get the customized software they want, when they want it, for the cost they expect. Our approach is focused on mitigating the risks that can get in the way of accomplishing those objectives. We do this through a structured approach:
Ensuring we're solving the right problem
The first step in our process is to work collaboratively with our clients to clearly articulate the problem you are trying to solve, the benefits of solving the problem, and the people who will be impacted by solving the problem. By quantifying the benefits, we will be able to put constraints of our efforts to make sure that our efforts meet your cost-benefit tests. By identifying the people who will be impacted, we identify the stakeholders who will need to be part of the process.
Ensuring that we're solving the problem the right way
Our approach is to get as much client feedback as possible BEFORE the software has been developed. We create computer-based prototypes or paper-based prototypes depending on our client's preferences. By incorporating this feedback before developing any software or databases, we are able to finalize the design and keep costly rewrites to a minimum.
Ensuring that we are focused on the agreed-upon solution
Scope management is one of the most challenging aspects of software development projects. While we want to exceed your expectations, we believe that adding additional features beyond the agreed-upon scope has a good chance to cause project delays and cost-overruns. Additional scope is managed through a formal change-control process.
Verifying that the solution works as designed
Apart from making sure that the software is addressing the right problem, this is the second most important job that we do -- making sure that it actually does do what it is supposed to do. Quality assurance testing is a joint responsibility, and we use web-based software defect tracking tools that allow us to collaboratively manage the QA/QC process with our clients.
Ensuring that the software is used to its fullest potential
Software is a tool that you can use effectively or not. We provide high-quality hands-on training and documentation that is designed to allow your staff to make the most of your software investment.
Supporting the product
We guarantee that our software will work in accordance with specifications for a period of three months after implementation. We also offer support agreements to continue the product after initial implementation.
Contract Types
We offer three different types of contracts to our clients:
Time & Materials
- these are for projects that do not have a well-defined scope. We charge by the hour, with rates depending on the experience level of the staff involved.
Lump Sum
- for projects that have a well-defined scope, we will be happy to provide a lump-sum price for completion of the scope. This is a way to further mitigate your financial risk on the project.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
- for projects that have a well-defined scope, and where the client is willing to enter into a hosting agreement with Mission Critical Software, a portion of the up-front development costs can be amortized over the duration of the hosting agreement. These fees may be able to be reduced if you give Mission Critical Software the opportunity to market the software to other organizations with similar needs.