Approach

Approach to work

The Kappa team works in the context of "management by objectives" (MBO). MBO results in efficient and effective work. Each person manages their tasks in coordination with others, and makes decisions based on project deliverables with shared final objectives. Everyone in the team is responsible and supportive. Operating by effective team dynamics streamlines operations and keeps the bureacracy agile by requiring only the essential policies and procedures.

We use continual improvement, project management, and engineering techniques to meet service goals. Kappa is an operationally flexible team. We work in matrix management styles from pure project organizational style to functional management styles. If speed is the highest priority and the critical path simply cannot be compressed, with clients' approval, we can work using extreme methodologies to counter scheduling pressures, such as when we are approached with a three month project that needs to reach milestones within three weeks. We strive to meet your needs.

Professional Honesty

We do not lie to customers. If a service breaks because we broke it, we say so. Also, we do not hide problems or growing concerns, but expose them. Following these principles reduces surprises and helps us learn.

Professional Attitude

Keeping services operating, and finishing projects on time are common customer priorities, which make them our priorities. If there is a service interruption, we help to bring it back online regardless of problem domain or who is at fault.

Quality

Quality assurance is built into the process. Part of creating project goals includes defining adequate ways to measure progress and levels of quality and success. Each element is designed to quality objectives, using established priorities and strategies. For example, we can create software-based tests to verify functional achievements, if reliability is paramount and software is expected to evolve.

Experience in the web development environment

The worldwide web is an ever changing environment. Traditional concepts must be applied in new ways. It seems there are constantly new variations of technology being introduced to consumers and tested in the market. We anticipate the evolution of technology in the systems design process for lasting value. We focus our resource investments for the long-term and broadest deployment. We design for lasting value and can accent with attractive multimedia presentation technologies that tend to change in a flash.

E-commerce is really about business as usual. Business plans are essential to any business, especially online where the markets are very competitive because of the global reach of communications. We can help create or tweak business plans that are essential in executing a successful project, from defining objectives, strategies, and market segments, to determining performance measurements and requirements.

Growing too quickly is one risk new businesses must be prepared for. The risk of growing too fast is especially relevant to companies with a web presence, because there is a potential for significant volume response to websites as mass-media that can overwhelm unprepared businesses. We deploy systems that are designed to scale well. You want your system to grow as your company grows, so operating costs increase proportionally instead of exponentially.

Routine protocol

To start, we will discuss the details of your project with you. Having project material available for review helps us to ask more detailed questions sooner. You do not have to have answers for everything. We work together to determine what is best for your project.

We provide up to 2 hours of free consultation with clients concerning situation analysis and estimating project costs. We are prepared to enter a project at most any phase.

Common project phases:

• Conceptualization (propose and consider)
• Planning (determine goals, strategies, contingencies, tactical (resource deployment)
• Implement (charted in the work-breakdown structure)
• Verification and refine focus (or project end)

In project budgeting, usually Planning and Implementing cost the most, though sometimes lots of creativity can slow the development of a stable conceptualization. Involving us early in the project can help reduce costs later.

Changes

We regularly monitor actual costs versus estimated costs. In the event that we forecast a significant increase in costs, we notify and discuss the matter with the client immediately. We identify factors that are increasing costs and discuss possible changes to the original plan. In any case, we do not like to surprise clients with increased costs. We provide early feedback if a change from the estimate is becoming evident, so that work in progress is not affected.