CTC utilizes a holistic approach to software development and integration services, incorporating multiple proven project management philosophies and standards. The core of this approach is the Agile Project Management Methodology, and our staff includes certified SCRUM, SAFe, and Kanban Project Managers.

Agile emphasizes ongoing requirements analysis, developing a product backlog of desired functionality and features, client prioritization of the product backlog, rapid release schedules, and incorporating lessons learned into upcoming sprints. The proven benefits of the Agile approach include a greater and more proactive control over risk management, project cost, and project quality. Our experience suggests that Agile methodology, when incorporated into the project structure, lends itself well to iterative tasks. In this vein, CTC has directly benefited from an Agile approach in Data Science, Software Development, and other IT-based support work.

Challenges
Our implementation of the Agile approach, with regular client input, is able to adapt and respond to challenges and obstacles as they occur. In contrast, methodologies which rely on up-front requirements gathering are often more fundamentally rigid. When Agile is not followed, such adaptations are often more costly, slower, and may negatively impact future project development.

Deliverables
Our Agile approach facilitates frequent and consistent deliverables. Through rapid releases, clients are better equipped to provide frequent feedback and course correction. This eliminates the risk and cost of “runaway projects”, where final deliverables do not meet the client’s vision.

Case Study

Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. government has invested over $85 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response. This is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, saving over 20 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and accelerating progress toward controlling the global HIV/AIDS epidemic in more than 50 countries, over 80,000 facilities and communities. PEPFAR must track and analyze these investments for maximum impact in fighting the epidemic. This includes publishing guidance and performance indicators for partners and Ministries of Health (MoH).

DATIM (Data for Transparency, Accountability, & Impact), a large multi-year project, is a health-oriented software platform to support the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the PEPFAR program. CTC, as a subcontractor of Guidehouse, responded to the DATIM challenge by assigning senior level software engineers to the DATIM project. The technical approach included the Agile Project Management methodology (the traditional waterfall approach to Project Management – gather requirements, build, deploy, maintain – does not align well with this environment). Our technical approach also included CMMI Level 3 repeatable processes for software development, the MVC (Model-View-Controller) software pattern, and the FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act), NIST, and FIPS Cybersecurity guidelines.