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Some of what we have learned is explained in the 10 step process that is outlined below. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Our process run throughout our company.

PHASE I - Define

In this phase, the objective is to understand clearly the voice of the prospective customer. When doing business on the Internet, we realize the importance of being clearly understood, to provide the best solutions to our customers.

Typically we start of when we get an email enquiry or a Quick Quote (on our internal sites) from a prospective client.
The request is examined. To understand the requirements better, some questions are emailed back to the prospective client, or the client is advised to fill in the Client Questionnaire on our site.
The clarifications are given. The client questionnaire is duly filled and forwarded.
The request is now re-examined for any further details required at this stage. If not, then a rough estimate of the time and costs involved in the project is made. In case of large web applications and database driven websites, a proposal for doing a detailed analysis for a fee of $2000 is emailed to the client. The deliverables here are the following:
- Requirements Document
- Level 1 Work Breakdown Structure and Project Schedule
- Payment schedule
- Draft of the contract of Agreement.
The client seeks clarifications (if any) on the terms and conditions and approves the documents and the contract of agreement. After this, the client gives a go-ahead for the project.
The amount to be advanced and the mode of payment is specified
Confirmation on the payment is intimated to Pirates Web.
Pirates Web confirms initial payment.

PHASE II - Design and Develop

We use the evolving iterative approach to web development. In this methodology, once the preliminary requirements are clarified, the next step is to quickly build the prototype of the website/web application. From then on, it is the continuing evolutions of this prototype until it become the final product, exact to specifications.

This is a revolutionary, new approach to software development and extremely suited to offshore development and outsourced services. When you outsource your requirement of web solutions to us, we are sensitive to the fact that you require high visibility of the WIP (work in progress). This is the reason why we have adapted this methodology to our web development process. At each stage along the development, the website/web application evolves before your own eyes. Here are the broad milestones in this process:

Prototype: The first and crucial phase. The prototype shows you the shape of things to come. This is much more than just a visual representation. It represents all the screen elements in the final solution. This is the mould into which we start to breathe the breath of life! Feedback from the client is taken and required modifications are incorporated.
Functional Specifications Document: Before starting to actually develop the functionalities, we document all the functional specifications. The client reviews it and gives feedback again and with this, the requirements specifications are fully captured.
The Proof of concept: The prototype evolves to its more complex level of existence. Many parts of the prototype spring to life. We have this intermediate delivery before the final delivery to establish the proof of concept. The client can now almost feel the solution that he/she had entrusted us to develop. What remains now is just formality. Our production engine hauls the project to completion.
Final Delivery: The final product is delivered after testing. There are no surprises, and no tense expectations on the date of delivery. For, you had seen it evolve

PHASE III � Deployment

Performance of the site is monitored for a period of one month if there is no site maintenance agreement.
Any problems found during this period will be solved, without any additional cost to the customer.

Site Promotion

Re-engineering and re-designing depending on promotion needs, to make the site a success.

Site Maintenance

Operations workflow at Stylus Systems:

The flow chart visually describes the workflow and the processes that are a part of any project undertaken at Pirate Web.

The marketing team acquires the project from the client and forwards it to the Operations team � the Chief Technical Officer and the Project Leaders. Projects are delegated to the project leaders who in turn assign tasks to team members who then work on the project within the schedule allotted to them.

All deliverables are passed through a Quality Assurance team who decides whether the process is iterative or not. If satisfied, the Quality Assurance team passes the completed project to the project leader who then hands out the deliverables to the client. Client feedback and satisfaction is given first hand consideration and all deliverables are reworked upon to ensure a completely satisfied customer.