Applied Learning with Harveys Furnishings plc
The Background
Harveys are a major UK retail furnishings group with a national network of stores.
The People
The development team were experienced but none had tackled a real project using .NET technologies.
The Project
Back and front office systems nearing end of life were to be re-developed using .NET and, where appropriate, browser-based technologies.
The Six-Step Process in Action
Storm's role was initially to de-risk the project by assisting the development team in applying their new skills in .NET. Given the decision to support Web technologies,
Storm Software's Applied Learning consultant developed a proof of concept application
with one of Harveys' lead developers.
Forming the basis of a new price-book application, this proof of concept was further
developed and used by the team whilst designing the new database schema.
Other team members were included in the process and brought up to speed using the
exact combination of technologies that were developed in-house by Harveys and their
consultant.
This, in turn in a way that would ensure the right technical decisions and methods from the start,
fast implementation and the most appropriate application of of the techonology to the project.
The Benefits
Developers developed confidence quickly and avoided the delays normally associated with first-time projects involving new technologies.
The skills learnt during the project gave the developers the equivalent of several years hard won experience.
Having an expert 'on-hand' has proved valuable in many respects to the team's project
manager, who's consultant has lately been helping to interview new .NET developers
for the team.
Conclusion
Storm Software received this very positive feedback from Harveys:
“Rather than being given ten ways to implement a particular procedure, we learnt the way which was best for our project”... “a brilliant way of learning”