Questcon Technologies Supports Agile Software Development Migration at a Major Healthcare Solutions Provider

Business Wire, August 13, 2007

Presents Case Study on Test Team Integration in Large-Scale Scrum Implementations at Agile 2007 Conference

GREENSBORO, N.C. & STAMFORD, Conn. -- Questcon Technologies, a leading provider of innovative software quality assurance (QA) and process improvement solutions and a division of Howard Systems International, Inc. (HSI), today announced it developed an Agile methods implementation plan to be deployed across the software development operations at one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. Questcon partnered with the healthcare solutions provider to integrate test teams within Scrum projects and maximize team capabilities, achieve true Agile integration and improve overall business support and project performance. Questcon will present a case study on the Agile software development migration during the Agile 2007 conference.

In 2005, this healthcare solutions provider made a strategic decision to move its software development to Scrum, an Agile method for software development that doesn't prescribe a specific sequence in which analysis, design, implementation and testing must occur within the software development process. With Scrum, a project can start with any activity and can change between activities at any time, increasing project flexibility and productivity.

The sheer size of this healthcare solutions provider, with more than 1,000 IT resources, posed a challenge to team integration of the Scrum methodology, especially within test teams. Questcon leveraged its demonstrated knowledge of Agile software development to partner with the company to fully align its test team for an enterprise application with Scrum projects. Questcon worked with the application test team to assess its team, tools, techniques and processes, and helped develop a plan to aid in fully migrating testers into Scrum. Implementing the recommended changes allowed the healthcare solutions provider to avoid delays and increase its success in future Agile implementations.

Questcon's team of experts in QA and test processes, test automation and Agile/Scrum, gathered data to provide a full perspective of the healthcare solutions provider's software development and testing processes. After analysis, Questcon developed a set of recommendations to address developer to tester ratios, engaging testers in Scrum, balancing tester skills through training and modularized test designs.

"At Questcon, we continually cultivate business-specific knowledge for each of our customers' software development needs," said Chris Laney, senior vice president of strategic solutions for Questcon. "With unparalleled expertise in Agile software development as it relates to testing, we were able to meet this customer's specific needs in migrating to Scrum methodology. Utilizing our recommendations, the company has gained the edge it needs to increase efficiency in Scrum projects across the organization."

Shaun Bradshaw, director of quality solutions for Questcon, will discuss the details of this Scrum implementation at Agile 2007. Bradshaw is a certified ScrumMaster, a designation from the Scrum Alliance certifying professionals in transforming development teams, projects and organizations into agile capable entities. Agile 2007 is designed to bring together researchers from labs and academia with executives, managers and developers in the trenches of software development. It will also provide a forum for the exchange of information regarding all agile development technologies. Additional information on Agile 2007 can be found at www.agile2007.com.

Where:  <
Agile 2007
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Renaissance Washington Hotel
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999 Ninth Street NW
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Washington, D.C. 20001
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When:   <
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. ET

About Questcon Technologies

Questcon Technologies, a division of Howard Systems International, assures software value through innovative quality, test and auditing solutions. Predicated on years of experience and countless observations, Questcon has helped hundreds of organizations uncover hidden inefficiencies resulting in dramatic improvement of business performance and software development processes. For more information, please call (888) 339-0600 or visit us on the Web at www.questcon.com.

About Howard Systems International

Headquartered in Stamford, Conn., Howard Systems International, Inc. (HSI) and our affiliated companies have become leaders in providing consulting and IT solutions. For 30 years, HSI has not only provided customers with a Return on Investment, but also a Return on Relationship. Our national network of offices and affiliated companies, quality methodologies, and industry best practices, enables us to focus on the integrity of our customers' software and systems, so that our customers can focus on the core business. For more information, please call (203) 324-4600 or visit us on the Web at www.howardsystems.com.