Plan, Implement and Maintain End to End ALM

The MKS Solution Delivery Methodology enables MKS customers to effectively plan, implement and maintain an MKS solution that contains processes and products derived from an organization's business strategy and objectives. It enables organizations to realize improved team performance and tangible business results. Our Methodology has been developed from MKS’s vast experience in implementing enterprise end-to-end solutions across a wide variety industries and companies large and small. It is a proven approach to solve our customers’ problems in the most efficient way possible.

The MKS solution deliverables consist of three main areas:

• Process – MKS’s Solution methodology includes the process components that drive the workflow for our business solutions. As an example, existing client change processes are obtained, evaluated and instantiated as required for the customer solution.
• Tools – MKS’s solution wraps the processes into an automated solution consisting of a fully integrated platform and repository, giving complete visibility into the end-to-end solution across all processes enabled in the MKS solution.
• Data – MKS provides the capability to define, collect and report on all metrics and data associated with a customer solution. Metrics data can consist of process and product lifecycle data as directed by the customer solution.

The methodology takes a holistic view of your application lifecycle, initiating with a clear assessment of end-to-end processes, the environment, business goals and needs, through to project planning, implementation, go-live, and finally, the ongoing maintenance of the solution and measurement of performance against goals.

MKS Solution Delivery Methodology Phases

Phase 1: Assess – Solution Analysis and Design
In the Assessment Phase MKS initiates our Methodology with an understanding of an organization’s business objectives and goals and maps a plan to address those objectives. Business goals and business strategy are then mapped into distinct individual processes, complete with the requisite process relationships fully defined. The next step is to drill down to define specific technical requirements to enable a successful implementation and realization of the goals. Within this phase MKS consultants also build the complete project plan based on the Assessment, which includes the target environment, or applications, that will be piloted with the solution, including the pilot processes and technical implementation.

Phase 2: Protoype – Solution Refinement
Following the assessment phase, work then turns to the creation of a working prototype of the end-to-end solution operating within a test environment. The solution refinement phase allows users to interact with the solution, test drive the "to be" process maps for fine tuning, and ensures that the requirements and data model developed in the assessment phase are accurately translated into a working system, which charts the path to solving the underlying business issues.

Phase 3: Implement – Solution Configuration and Testing
After understanding and validating requirements in the first two phases, MKS Consulting proceeds to the implementation phase. In this phase, the prototype solution is built up into a production-ready system. All workflows and corresponding business rules are implemented and tested. In addition any required system and data conversions are tested, integrations are developed, and go-live plans are finalized.

Phase 4: Go-Live – Solution Rollout
During the go-live phase, end users are trained, final data conversions are performed, and onsite support is provided as users begin interacting with the production system. This is one of the most critical phases of the MKS Solution Delivery Methodology. Rapid adoption and early user acceptance of MKS Integrity will expedite the realization of real business value from the solution and ensure the project meets its defined goals.

Phase 5: Maintain – Solution Support and Goal Recognition
As the go live phase winds down, the solution transitions into the ongoing maintenance phase. During this phase the rate of change of the solution slows dramatically but not completely. As new users access the system and new requirements from the business are requested, customers will be enabled to implement these changes themselves, or may call on MKS for assistance if they wish.

Throughout All Phases: Solution Management
Throughout all phases of the solution delivery, MKS provides an appropriate level of solution management to ensure the effort adheres to plan, remains organized, on track, and delivers against defined objectives and goals.