Featured Offerings

Process Standardization and Optimization Services

An effective process helps us produce the right product at a predictable quality that is maintainable, repeatable, and importantly measureable.

Aztecsoft, a CMMI Level 5 and ISO 27001 company is well aware of various advantages that the engineering processes bring us and our customers. There is a common myth among many of us that these processes slowdown the production rates and bring in a lot of overheads involved in software engineering. While this is partly true, it is also true that processes bring order to the chaos of software development. Needless to say, finding and fixing a problem after the delivery to customer is 100 times more expensive than preempting, finding, and fixing them in the early stages.

Another common myth is that processes restrict our ability to change. In fact, processes help us to adapt change. Processes help us to create a structure so that the change can be organized. A software engineering process, when rightly used and implemented lets us operate in the balanced zone that exists between order and chaos.

Standardizing the processes become very important especially when you are dealing with an offshore vendor or having operations that span various geographies. Process standardization and optimization will align your business requirements with the offshore plans that will prove beneficial in realizing your business value.

Aztecsoft process standardization and optimization services use industry standard frameworks (CMMI, ISO) and benchmarks, and Aztecsoft best practices in providing a best fit solution for your process improvement requirements.

Service Offerings

Aztecsoft offers a range of services as part of process standardization and optimization services. These range from process implementation to CMMI and ISO certifications.

• Process implementation – Gap Analysis, Definition, Training, Piloting, Implementing and Continuous improvement
• Specialized training on Project Management, SDLC and Software engineering, Measurement and metrics, Audits, Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• CMMI, ISO 9000, ISO 27000 (BS7799) certification
• Defect Prevention and Process Innovation work shop

Process Consultancy Model

Aztecsoft follows the 8S Methodology for Process Consulting. This proprietary methodology has evolved through repeated application of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA). 8S Methodology in brief is detailed below,

• Strategizing the consulting approach by Spotting the problem, conducting a Survey on the present system and Specifying the process improvement needs and goals to achieve
• Start implementing the plan and Steer towards achieving the set goals involving all stake holders
• Study and evaluate the progress of implementation
• Solve the problems by initiating corrective and preventive actions

Process Optimization Service Overview

The Aztecsoft Consulting is based on 8S Methodology. This methodology was conceptualized and derived by constantly practicing PDCA. The 8S breaks down each phase of PDCA into activities as granular as possible, ensuring clarity and garnering customer confidence.

• The PLAN is considered to be Strategizing phase; where in the approach of consulting is developed. Here Aztecsoft will Spot the problem to be attacked, Survey the present scenario to understand the problem much better and Specify the opportunities to improve the process to solve the problem
• The DO is where Aztecsoft will Start implementing the process improvements and Steer towards the goal of closing the gaps
• The CHECK is where Aztecsoft will Study the progress of the improvement implementation and evaluate its effectiveness
• The ACT is where Aztecsoft will identify the corrective and preventive actions to Solve the problems in effectiveness

The methodology is followed in the same manner for all the problems/process areas identified. The output from each cycle is used for organization wide improvement, where Aztecsoft will try and simplify and improve the implemented process for efficiency.

Execution Methodology

Aztecsoft will create a detailed execution plan based on the process areas identified. Following is the high-level few key tasks we execute as part of the execution methodology.

• Aztecsoft identifies the sub-processes from the each process area that is prioritized for optimization
• A project charter will be developed and discussed with you for approval and sponsorship
• Process Optimization Core Team, consisting of Aztecsoft consultants and process owners from your team, will take the sub process for optimization
• Initially it will go through a few iterations of a 4 step process PDCA, the core of the 8S model
• Once the sub-process becomes stable, it is further iterated through the 8S model till it reaches acceptable optimization level

Process consultancy Steps

Following flowchart depicts the consultancy steps:



Quality and Consultancy Effectiveness Management

The quality and effectiveness of the consultancy services are managed by,

• Early detection of issues and deviations
• Conducting look ahead meetings to identify risks and taking defect prevention activities
• Timely corrective and preventive actions
• Regular informal feedback from sponsor
• Formal feedback sessions
• Customer satisfaction surveys

Aztecsoft creates a RCP (responsible – consult – perform) matrix that provides unambiguous roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders who operate in the entire engagement.

Service Deliverables

Following are a few key service deliverables

• Process suite documentation
• Plans for process consultancy
• Project charter for identified project and problem
• Training on process for all practitioners
• Status reports as per the communication plan