Technical and process analysis in preparation for a global opportunity
Challenge:
A large marketing company needed to internationalize their product to pursue opportunities in lucrative emerging markets. To prepare for globalization, the software being used in the U.S. photo lab (C++) would need to be reviewed and its globalization potential assessed. The company’s goal was to move as quickly as possible to replicate the existing software and proven processes from the U.S. lab -- first in New Zealand and then in Asia. The management team tasked with the globalization effort lacked familiarity with the details of the U.S. lab processes. They needed someone to document existing processes, evaluate globalization requirements, and make recommendations.
Solution:
An STG Project Manager and Technical lead moved quickly to investigate both the existing processes and the current software. Onsite process analysis and a thorough software review were launched, and the client’s software architect, lab manager, and two lead lab technicians were interviewed. Each software module as well as the database were thoroughly reviewed. Easy-to-interpret Visio™ diagrams met the customer’s goal of concrete understanding of current U.S. lab processes. A Microsoft Word document supplemented the Visio diagrams with narrative descriptions of each product module, the module’s current code version, and upgrade recommendations.
Result:
The STG deliverable outlined recommended solutions, highlighted areas of exposure, and gave the client the detailed information necessary to make informed decisions and make them quickly. The customer readily adopted the recommendations and assigned an internal team to immediate implementation.