Government agencies are seeking digital solutions to a diverse array of challenges – from interagency communications to sharing resources. However, some of the very problems that these solutions address, such as decreasing budgets and increasing workloads, pose challenges to the development process. To provide more efficient, effective technology solutions, it’s necessary to employ more efficient, effective development processes, in particular modern approaches like embedded project teams and continuous development.
Embedded project teams offer a hybrid approach to outsourcing. Government agencies have the ability to outsource complex technology projects while bringing expertise in-house. This approach creates efficiencies that facilitate the rapid development of software, which reduces costs and workloads while improving staff competency and confidence.
In traditional “outsourcing” processes, there’s little to no opportunity for developers to get up close and personal with the workflow that they’re attempting to improve. An embedded team, on the other hand, is able to observe and understand the requirements of a particular workplace environment. This streamlines the development of software and equips your embedded team with the institutional knowledge necessary to build precisely what you need – nothing more or less.
In traditional off-site collaborations, most interactions are conducted via communications technology, increasing the likelihood of misunderstandings and misapprehension. Conversely, an embedded team ensures continuous in-person collaboration, which helps to build trust, respect, and greater understanding among all parties. Research shows that in-person requests are 34 times more effective than emailed requests, which reduces costly, time-consuming bottlenecks and improves efficiency.
More conventional approaches to software development happen out of sight, and stakeholders have few opportunities to see the direction development is taking until critical moments, when it may be too late to efficiently implement changes. When project teams are embedded, every stage of development is visible to all parties, from requirements documentation to deployment. Greater transparency facilitates more accurate translations of business requirements into technical requirements and simplifies the oversight of budget and workflow.
When embedded teams are focused on continuous development, stakeholders have the opportunity to offer ongoing feedback and direction to developers. This allows for the immediate identification of potential problems as well as changing requirements, which means necessary changes can be addressed before they become expensive and burdensome.
Inadequate succession planning and gaps in key competencies are a problem in many government offices. An embedded project team exposes staff to new skills and supports the development of key competencies, which creates a more efficient, product work environment and a more stable infrastructure.
Antares may be the Silicone Bayou’s leading expert on software development, but your staff is the subject matter expert. By aligning our team with yours, we’re able to achieve your software goals more efficiently and effectively. Our Project Managers, Architects, Developers or QA Analysts are ready to integrate into your project team to work as one functioning unit. We’re ready to adapt to your needs. Contact us today to learn how.
