Our Approach

Every engagement follows a structured methodology. Not because process is the goal, but because disciplined execution prevents the failures we have seen too many times.

Delivery Phases

Six phases, each with defined activities and artifacts. Phases can be compressed or expanded based on scope, but the structure remains consistent.

Diagnose

Understand the current state, define success criteria, and identify risks before committing to a plan.

Key Activities

Stakeholder interviews and requirements workshops
Current-state system and process documentation
Gap analysis against target state
Risk identification and initial mitigation planning
Success criteria definition with measurable acceptance

Artifacts

Stakeholder map
Current-state assessment
Requirements document
Risk register (initial)

Design

Document everything before building. Configuration decisions, integration specifications, data mappings, and security model - all written down and approved.

Key Activities

Configuration design aligned to requirements
Integration specification and sequencing
Data mapping with transformation rules
Security and access model design
Test strategy and scenario development

Artifacts

Configuration workbook
Integration specifications
Data mapping document
Security model documentation
Test plan

Build

Iterative configuration and development with regular checkpoints. No surprises at the end.

Key Activities

System configuration per approved design
Integration development with error handling
Data migration scripting and dry runs
Unit testing of components
Regular demo and feedback cycles

Artifacts

Configured system (non-production)
Working integrations (test environment)
Migration scripts with validation
Unit test results

Prove

Testing happens here, not in production. User acceptance, integration testing, parallel runs, and reconciliation.

Key Activities

User acceptance testing with business users
End-to-end integration testing
Parallel payroll runs with reconciliation
Performance and load testing (if applicable)
Defect triage and resolution

Artifacts

UAT sign-off
Integration test results
Parallel run reconciliation reports
Defect log with resolution status

Launch

Cutover execution with go/no-go checkpoints. Rollback plan ready. Data validated. Integrations verified.

Key Activities

Cutover rehearsal in production-like environment
Go/no-go checkpoint with stakeholders
Data migration execution with validation
Integration activation and verification
Hypercare support during initial operations

Artifacts

Cutover plan with timing and owners
Rollback procedures
Go-live checklist
Data validation reports
Hypercare log

Harden

Transition to steady-state operations. Monitoring, runbooks, and knowledge transfer so your team owns it.

Key Activities

Monitoring implementation and threshold tuning
Runbook development for operations and incidents
Knowledge transfer sessions with internal team
Handoff documentation and sign-off
Post-implementation review

Artifacts

Monitoring dashboard or checklist
Operations runbook
Incident response procedures
Knowledge transfer materials
Handoff acceptance

Risk Management Posture

We build controls into the delivery process. These are not overhead - they are how we prevent the failures that derail projects.

Ownership is explicit

Every decision, risk, and deliverable has a named owner. Ambiguity in ownership is a project risk we eliminate early.

Controls before velocity

We establish checkpoints and approval gates. Moving fast without controls creates technical debt and audit exposure.

Change is managed

Scope changes go through a defined process. Impact is assessed, documented, and approved before implementation.

Decisions are auditable

We maintain decision logs with rationale. When someone asks why something is built a certain way, there is a documented answer.

Standard Artifacts

These documents are produced on every engagement. The format adapts to client standards, but the content is non-negotiable.

Artifact	Purpose	Phase
Requirements Document	Defines what needs to be built	Diagnose
Configuration Workbook	Documents all system settings	Design
Data Mapping	Source-to-target field mapping with rules	Design
Integration Specifications	Technical specs for each integration	Design
Test Plan	Scenarios, data, and acceptance criteria	Design
Cutover Plan	Sequenced activities with timing and rollback	Prove
Reconciliation Reports	Proof that data matches expected state	Prove
Operations Runbook	Day-to-day procedures for steady state	Harden
Monitoring Checklist	What to watch and when to escalate	Harden

Questions about our process?

We are happy to walk through how this applies to your specific situation. No commitment required.

Start a conversation

We will tell you if we are not the right fit.