You may have seen our recent blog post that espoused our process methodology. That methodology is guided by our (I+P)^BN formula (Innovation fused with Process that reflects your Business Needs!).
Our guiding approach is very lean – in that it captures three interwoven elements at the BIG PICTURE level- all towards creating a compelling solution for our clients.
However, it’s brevity does not fully reflect the nitty gritty, step-by-step stage-gating development process we go through to deliver optimal solutions for our clients.
Enter our It’s How We Do It…Stack
Hallsten Innovations uses a proven, customizable process to bring client products from napkin design to reality. Each of the blocks outlined above include a number of itemized steps, checklists, planning documents, and approval gates. Please contact me, Jon Hallsten, directly to receive a copy of our working process document. It is not pretty with marketing flair, but it is comprehensive. Read highlights below!
It’s How We Do It.
Phase 0: Discovery of your Business Needs. Understanding you, our client, and your customers is paramount in delivering a product plan that will succeed. We work through a comprehensive interview process and lean design methodology to arrive at a robust user-centric solution design plan.
We often run an IP analysis to understand the playing field in your space, deliver a market / competitor analysis, and always craft a master Product Requirement Document for all stakeholders to rally around. This essential document becomes the guiding solution vision.
Phase 1: Architecture. We transition the Product Requirement Document’s vision to a set of core architectural building blocks (everything from software to hardware). Our activities include project planning, key component selection, data flow, security, determining higher risk areas, resource allocation and other activities. This document defines our understanding, the scope, and the effort of the following phases.
Phase 2: Design and Development. All the foundational homework is implemented into tangible forms starting with the most critical derisking elements developed first.
User feedback is solicited on prototypes and incorporated into rapid development cycles of constant improvement (We keep Business Needs at the forefront). Hallsten Innovations solicits user feedback initially on sub systems and components. Completed product feedback comes later in the development process.
When creating physical products we request design for manufacturing feedback from your (or our) prospective manufacturer. Pre-compliance (RF, electrical) is also engaged to lower the risk of costly compliance surprises.
Phase 3: Refinement and User Testing. All the pieces of a cohesive solution are integrated and opened up to larger user audience pool. Completed product feedback and software suggestions help optimize the design. Also during this phase, physical product solutions are sent to regulatory bodies / labs for appropriate certifications and approvals.
Phase 4: Production. Transitioning your design to the factory is more than the shipment of a box of parts and a flash drive. We work directly with manufacturing personnel throughout pilot runs, help manage tooling production, and stand with Factory QA and Logistics teams to ensure the “right” product is produced. (If our client does not have contract manufacturing relationship or wants to have us as the single point of relationship with both design and manufacturing, we are happy to support them accordingly with our world-wide manufacturing relationships and experience.)
Phase 5: Sustaining. We support our clients through product roll out, as well as when products systems and connectivity systems are up and running. In today’s IoT world, it is common to see software updates (especially security patches) through launch date, and after field deployment. It is not uncommon for Hallsten Innovations to leverage our support with wireless carriers, suggest on-device repair, and offer device provisioning support/system upgrades. We are happy to work out a maintenance contract with our clients.
Finishing Up
Again, our step-by-step stage-gating development process has been refined through our experience to deliver an optimal product path set against a hard earned Product Requirement Document. We would be honored to work with your team as early as possible in the design process so that we can leverage the full breadth of our offering. Thanks!