Empowering an EdTech Company: A Success Story in Optimising Technical Performance and Communication

Overview

This case study explores how Flexisource IT assisted an educational technology company in overcoming software development and communication challenges. 

By providing targeted support to their Fullstack Developer, Jonel Cabotaje, Flexisource IT helped improve technical processes and communication skills, ultimately leading to a contract extension for Jonel and continued project success.

About the Client

The client is an innovative educational platform designed to assess students, identify learning gaps, and provide customized lesson guides to address those gaps. The platform automates administration and analytics, enabling teachers to focus on teaching rather than data analysis. 

With an intuitive dashboard, the platform empowers teachers to understand and respond to the needs of individual students, making data-driven teaching accessible to all educators, regardless of their technical proficiency.

Problem

The client faced a critical challenge with one of Flexisource IT’s resources, Jonel Cabotaje, a Fullstack Developer at the company, who was nearing the end of his contract. Although Jonel demonstrated potential, there were concerns about his communication skills, particularly in delivering Daily Stand-Up (DSU) updates.

Despite that, the client’s new CTO recognised his technical capabilities and wanted to extend his contract. He wanted some assurance from Flexisource IT that would address these concerns. 

Thus, he requested an extension of Jonel’s contract for one month, with the condition that Jonel must deliver a high-quality front-end task (Writemark), improve his English communication skills, and meet the set expectations for backend environment setup. Flexisource IT was tasked with providing a comprehensive support plan to ensure Jonel could meet these goals.

Approach

The client and Flexisource IT leverage Agile development methodology throughout the process. This iterative approach ensures continuous improvement and client involvement throughout the project lifecycle. Here’s a breakdown of the proposed workflow:

1. Task Management. The team used Jira, a popular project management tool, to manage tasks, track progress, and foster communication. Using this tool, they created tickets or epics to provide the project overview and detailed functionalities to be developed. All tasks are clearly outlined and assigned within the Jira system.
2. Ticket Assignment and Development. Flexisource IT focused on backend development, modernising the applications and shared libraries by upgrading to newer .NET standards. This transition aimed to improve application performance, scalability, and maintainability.
3. Development and Code Review. The Flexisource IT team undertook the development work, followed by thorough code reviews conducted by the client’s senior developers.
4. QA and Testing. Despite lacking a dedicated QA team, Flexisource IT introduced backlog refinement and story point estimation to improve task management and quality assurance. Unit tests were also implemented to build quality by rigorously testing each component.
5. Backlog Refinement. We also implemented a structured process for backlog refinement and estimation (Agile). This transition facilitated better task planning, prioritisation, and execution, leading to improved project outcomes.

Roadblocks and Issues During Implementation

Throughout the implementation process, Flexisource IT encountered several challenges that required strategic problem-solving and adaptive measures. These roadblocks, while initially posing significant hurdles, ultimately led to improvements in communication, process efficiency, and project outcomes. Here are some of the key issues faced and the solutions implemented to overcome them:

• Performance Feedback. Frequent updates and performance reviews were necessary to ensure the project’s alignment with the client’s expectations. With that said, Flexisource IT worked with the client to implement performance improvements and ensure the application met the required standards.
• Communication Gaps. The team also faced minimal communication issues. We understand that ensuring precise and consistent communication between teams is crucial. Thus, Flexisource IT mitigated this gap by establishing clear communication protocols such as providing daily updates, stand-ups, and regular progress trackers.
• Lack of QA Resources. The absence of a dedicated QA specialist has somehow affected the team’s process and code review. To mitigate this, Flexisource IT provided its developers with comprehensive documentation and introduced unit tests to ensure the quality of the application.
• Low Ticket Descriptions. Initially, tickets were provided with low descriptions, which challenged our developers. Flexisource IT addressed this by working with the client to include detailed guidelines for ticket creation and ensuring all necessary information was included.

Results

Although the project is still ongoing, significant strides have been made. The client has observed continuous application improvement. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing improvements and the structured approach introduced by Flexisource IT. This partnership not only addresses the current needs but also lays a strong foundation for future advancements in sports data applications. The project continues to evolve, with both teams committed to achieving the client’s goals and ensuring the highest performance and quality standards.

Similarly, the project has fostered a deeper understanding of sports data requirements among the development team, leading to more relevant and practical solutions.

Other Solutions & Suggestions

While the primary focus has been on developing real-time sports applications, Flexisource IT suggests the following to enhance the client’s operations further:

• Dedicated QA Team. Establishing a dedicated QA team is an excellent addition to this project. This would ensure thorough testing and higher-quality deliverables.
• Continuous Training. Both Flexisource IT and client teams should receive ongoing training to stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies. This would ensure both teams can adapt to future trends and maintain high-performance standards.

Are you facing challenges in developing real-time applications or upgrading outdated systems? Flexisource IT is here to help. With our expertise in Agile methodologies, robust development practices, and dedicated support, we can transform your project into a success story. Contact us today to discuss how we can tailor our solutions to meet your unique needs and drive your business forward. Let’s build the future together.