Our Approach

Understanding the full breadth of the Business challenge – Above all else, we focus on our clients’ business.  We strive to understand all aspects of their business challenges, including constraints – financial or otherwise – and seek to become domain experts in their market space. It is only after gaining this perspective that we propose thoughtful, comprehensive solutions.

We begin with business analysis, a step critical to the success of any project, aimed at articulating our client’s business needs and goals.  Through this process, we discover and confirm high-level Business Requirements and more detailed Functional Requirements for a solution.  Our consultants may apply different approaches at this step, including use case analysis, user stories, goal modeling, feature and constraint identification – all tools in our tool belt, from which we choose the most effective combination of techniques to adapt to each client’s unique situation.

Designing a solution that delivers the best results for our client – In the IT solutions space, one size never  fits all. Depending on the situation, the most appropriate solution for a client may rely heavily on process improvements and re-engineering. Other solutions may include a subtle use of technology that yields dramatic results.  Some solutions require larger-scale design and development services. Whatever the challenge, we take great pride in identifying alternative approaches that focus primarily on Return on Investment. Often, that requires the development of a strategic implementation plan that includes the delivery of benefits in phases, allowing our clients to realize benefits as soon as possible.

Evaluating Build vs. Buy – Once we determine a general approach for a solution, we often reach a “Build vs. Buy” decision point. While there are many issues for consideration, always unique to each client and challenge, Seva possesses all of the skills and processes necessary to evaluate options in a comprehensive way.  As a result, our clients can make informed decisions that make sense for the business.

Applying a thorough yet pragmatic development methodology – Seva is founded on the principle that “process is THE key to success,” and that projects typically succeed or fail based on whether or not there is disciplined adherence to an appropriate methodology.  Early on, we adopted a formal SDLC process, which we called the Seva Framework.   The Framework represents a pragmatic version of what would typically be called the “waterfall” methodology.  We still use the fundamental building blocks of that methodology, albeit more often than not in the context of our clients’ own methodologies, or more frequently, in the context of Agile, Scrum or “hybrid” methodologies, as suited to a specific client and project.

With any approach, we deliver and gain approval of the Project Definition/Scope, Business and  Functional Detailed Requirements, Design documentation that includes Graphical Design (if appropriate) and System Architecture, a formal Project Plan at the right level of detail for proper tracking, and standard project communication documents that include Change Control requests, Weekly Status reports and Detailed Budget Reconciliation reports generated throughout the duration of a project.

By applying an appropriate methodology, Seva consistently delivers solutions that are cleverly designed, efficiently implemented, cost effective and highly impactful.

Continuing our commitment to our clients – Whether working with client teams or on projects outsourced to our group, we take ownership of and accept accountability for all that we do.  We do not view the successful completion of a project as the end of our commitment to our clients. In some ways, it is often just the beginning. Business challenges remain dynamic and ever-changing, as do the necessary responses to them. We take our clients’ business personally and commit to being there for them whenever they need us.