Proven Project Methodologies:
A Flexible Framework from Rapid Rescue to Remarkable Innovation

At Launch Theory, we’ve developed a project methodology that combines rigorous structure with strategic flexibility, refined through years of successful deployments.

Like a good partner, we dynamically tailor our approach to your specific goals and challenges, adapting seamlessly to evolving requirements and new opportunities.

Through direct developer communication, regular gate reviews, and consistent collaboration, we make complex technical projects feel manageable while keeping you confidently informed at every stage to ensure high-quality outcomes.

Project Styles and Types

Since every partner is different with varying needs, we have created a variety of project styles that support the way your team works best with you.

Complete Project Development

Our team takes on complete projects, managing every step from planning to deployment. We deliver the final project ready for your use, complete with training and documentation—wrapped up with a bow on top.

Team Extension Services

We offer skilled developers to augment your internal team, providing specialized expertise and capacity when and where you need it most.

Rescue Projects

Becoming disturbingly common, if your old development partner delivered a lemon or your site suddenly died and your old agency won’t answer the phone, DON’T WORRY we can rapidly deploy a team to assess, stabilize, and resuscitate or complete your digital initiatives effectively.

Maintenance and Continuous Improvement

We focus on stability, performance, and continuous improvement, ensuring your digital presence remains optimal over time and making the little changes you request that make all the difference.

Project Phases

At Launch Theory we have a process and methodology that leads to successful implementation of solutions. We will lead as much is needed, but also flexible and adaptable to your work-style environment. We understand every project is unique, we adjust and tailor the activities as needed to accomplish your goals. Our typical baseline approach below shows our process.

Gate #1: Design and Development Plan Approval

Gate #2:
Mid-Development Checkpoint

Gate #3:
Pre-Launch Review

Gate #4:
Post-Launch Champagne Review

Discovery

Let’s get started! In this phase, we lay the groundwork by gathering all necessary information, aligning expectations, and setting the stage for a successful project.

Key Activities
  • Kickoff Meeting: Establish expectations, goals, and timelines with stakeholders. Ensure both technical and non-technical stakeholders are aligned on project vision.
  • Stakeholder Interviews & Requirement Gathering: Engage in open dialogue with various institutional stakeholders to gather detailed requirements.
  • Technical Audit: Assess existing systems, technical debt, or platform limitations to understand the foundation. Platform Testing Strategy: Define a comprehensive testing strategy, including devices, displays, browsers, and accessibility compliance levels (e.g., WCAG). This strategy ensures the project aligns with the specific requirements for functionality and inclusivity.
  • Integration Mapping: Analyze current integrations and technology dependencies, determining how existing systems will be connected, replaced, or enhanced in the new solution. This mapping will guide integration efforts and reduce unexpected complications during the implementation phase.
  • Content Audit and Strategy (optional): Conduct an in-depth audit of existing content to determine what should be retained, updated, or removed. Additionally, this phase includes developing a strategic approach to optimize content alignment with institutional goals, ensuring content quality, consistency, and impact across all digital touchpoints.
Deliverables
  • Project Charter
  • High-level Requirement Document
  • Stakeholder Alignment Presentation
  • Platform Testing Strategy Document
  • Integration Mapping Document
  • Content Audit and Strategy Plan

Planning

This is where we chart our course! We’ll define the project’s scope, milestones, and identify any potential risks to ensure everything is on track from the beginning.

Key Activities
  • Scope Definition & Milestone Setting: Establish a project roadmap, breaking down the entire project into logical milestones with measurable outcomes.
  • Ticket System Setup: Implement a ticket-driven system for all features and tasks, aligning development work into manageable units.
  • Risk Management: Identify potential project risks, technical challenges, and plan mitigations accordingly.

Deliverables
  • Detailed Project Plan
  • Ticket Backlog Creation
  • Initial Risk Assessment Report

Design

Time to bring creativity into play! We’ll develop detailed designs that align with your vision and meet accessibility standards.

Key Activities
  • Wireframes and UX/UI Prototyping: Collaborate closely with the design team to translate requirements into interactive wireframes and prototypes.
  • Design Reviews with Stakeholders: Regular reviews with key institutional stakeholders to ensure adherence to brand guidelines.
  • Accessibility Considerations: Ensure design compliance with WCAG and ADA guidelines to address inclusivity.

Deliverables
  • High-fidelity Prototypes
  • Design Specification Document

Gate #1

Design and Development Plan Approval

A checkpoint for success! This review ensures that everyone is aligned on the design and development approach before we move into execution.

Key Activities
  • Stakeholder Review Meeting: Present the final design for approval and align on the transition to development.
  • Project Hi-Low Estimate: Review the project high and low estimate of effort and budget, ensuring all stakeholders are aware of the potential range of outcomes before development begins.
  • Adjustments (if needed): Update the designs based on feedback.
Deliverables
  • Incrementally developed features available on a staging environment for review.

Development

Let’s build something great! This is where our developers bring the designs to life with careful implementation and coordination.

Key Activities
  • Ticket-driven Development Cadence:
    • Feature Implementation: Use a ticketing system for feature-based development. Developers pick up tickets and work on them in a prioritized manner.
    • Internal Collaboration & Peer Review: Ensure code quality through peer reviews, inviting client technical staff if desired.
  • Backend & Frontend Coordination: Synchronize the work between frontend templating (Twig, JavaScript, CSS) and backend development, especially for platforms like Drupal or WordPress.
  • Integration with Existing Systems: Work closely with IT departments to ensure seamless integration with any legacy systems.
Deliverables
  • Incrementally developed features available on a staging environment for review.

Gate #3

Pre-Launch Review

Almost there! We’ll gather your feedback, address any last-minute issues, and make sure everything is perfect before launch.

Key Activities
  • User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Facilitate UAT with institutional stakeholders to gather end-user feedback.
  • Bug Fixes & Final Tweaks: Resolve UAT-identified issues, ensuring all feedback has been properly addressed.
Deliverables
  • Resolved Bug List
  • UAT Sign-off Document

Gate #2

Mid-Development Checkpoint

Halfway there! This checkpoint lets us review progress, adjust as needed, and ensure we’re on track for a successful launch.

Key Activities
  • Progress Presentation: Showcase the features developed so far, walk stakeholders through the site’s progress.
  • Adjustments & Reprioritization: Review new discoveries or changing requirements and adjust ticket priorities or project direction as needed.
Deliverables
  • Updated Development Roadmap
  • Adjusted Tickets or Reprioritized Features

Launch

It’s go-time! We carefully execute the launch to make your site accessible to the world while ensuring a smooth rollout.

Key Activities
  • Soft Launch & Monitoring: Release the site to a controlled audience for a soft launch, enabling institutional users to explore the system and provide last-minute feedback.
  • Performance Monitoring: Monitor page load speed, server health, and address any performance issues.
  • Final Launch: Execute the launch plan, making the site public and accessible.
Deliverables
  • Launch Checklist
  • Go-live Announcement

Gate #2

Post-Launch Champagne Review

Cheers to success! This review celebrates the launch, evaluates performance, and gathers lessons for the future.

Key Activities
  • Conduct a review with stakeholders to assess project outcomes, ensure client satisfaction, and gather lessons learned.
  • Evaluate performance metrics and the success of the deployment process.
  • Address any outstanding issues or improvements required post-launch.
Deliverables
  • Project Closure Report
  • Lessons Learned Documentation
  • Stakeholder Feedback Summary

Supported Services

We’re still by your side! Our team is ready to assist with any post-launch needs, ensuring everything continues to run smoothly

  • Hypercare Support Window: Offer heightened support immediately post-launch, addressing any urgent issues or bugs.
  • Training and Documentation: Deliver training sessions to internal teams on site maintenance and management. Provide detailed documentation, including video tutorials for key workflows.

Deliverables:

  • Training Materials and Videos

Think of us as your long-term partner, keeping everything stable and optimized while helping you make ongoing improvements.

  • Ongoing Support through Block Hours: Provide flexible, on-demand support using pre-purchased block hours for maintenance tasks or new features.
  • Continuous Improvement: Periodically revisit the website to suggest optimizations or enhancements in line with institutional goals.

Deliverables:

  • Monthly Performance Reports
  • Support Ticket Summaries

Let’s
   Talk…

Partnerships

Launch Theory partners with industry-leading technology companies to provide cutting-edge solutions and elevate your digital capabilities. Our strategic alliances ensure your access to the best tools and expertise to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

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