At the core of LeverPoint's Development Framework is a highly flexible, streamlined version of the popular software product development life-cycle (PDLC) methodology called AUP (or A-RUP). However, our development framework is not merely a streamlined version of AUP, but it is also a more comprehensive approach to software engineering. We call our methodology LeverUP (LeverPoint Unified Process). This methodology not only ensures repeatable, high quality software engineering, QA, and testing, but it also addresses issues that are often ignored by the pure PDLC methods (see Phase 0 below).

Every client is unique. Therefore, depending on many factors including the stage or maturity of the client company, maturity of the product, maturity of the processes, complexity of the code, extent of domain expertise required, release cycles, amount and quality of documentation, etc., the initial engagement point with LeverPoint will vary. beginning at either " Phase 0 - Professional Consulting " or " Phase 1 - Inception " of our software product engineering and testing services.

Phase 0: "Front-End" Professional Consulting

For clients' with very fluid environments or where the business or technology executives desire to reduce their risk by augmenting their own practices with LeverPoint's best practices, LeverPoint provides a more comprehensive initial services offering. The services offerings include:

• Development of a Global Sourcing Plan
• Best-Practice Engineering and/or Testing Process Implementation
• Best-Practice Engineering and/or Testing Distributed Platform Implementation
• Vendor Selection and Management.

Software Engineering and Testing

Phase 1: Inception - Discovery, Alignment and Knowledge Transfer

Discovery and Alignment:

For clients with more "mature" environments, LeverPoint will focus its efforts on quickly coming up to speed on the current client environment (people, processes and technologies) and then aligning the LeverPoint services approach to this environment. Typically, we work with the client to identify areas for improvement as well, but the main thrust of this approach is alignment with the client.|

Knowledge Transfer:

Because it is CRITICAL to accomplish the necessary knowledge transfer as early and effectively in the process as possible, LeverPoint's program management and/or engineering team lead will work with you to customize our project inception template. Depending on the specifics, we may want to set up the existing software (if any) as a baseline from which to work and review the existing critical functionality. We will also review and/or develop the Software Requirements Specification utilizing whatever documents are available for a starting point.

Finally, there is no substitute for a time of face-to-face knowledge transfer and team building. The length and extent of this meeting is driven be the desired engagement and can run from one week to many months. Typically, this face-to-face time is accomplished by bringing the offshore Team / Leader on-site to the client location(s).

Phase 2: Elaboration - Design

With the functional SRS in hand (whether developed on-site in collaboration between LeverPoint and the client or by way of the client's own internal product team), the Design phase begins in earnest. The development team will develop and document the design approach for the system. The elements of the design will include user interface, database/data model, and transaction/business logic. Upon completion of the design of each enhancement, a final design review will be conducted and the design will be signed-off by the client.

At this point all of the supporting SDLC functions and platforms will be initiated as outlined from the Discovery phase including: configuration management plan, communication management plan, quality management, defect management / bug tracking database, etc. Test plan development and unit and system test cases generally are begun at this time depending on the desired timelines.

Phase 3: Construction and Testing - Development

The LeverPoint development team will implement the requested enhancements in accordance with the approved design documents (SRS, HLD, LLD, UI, etc.). Each completed module will be unit and system tested and any apparent defects will be fixed.

Phase 4: Transition and Maintenance - Deployment

During the Deployment phase, LeverPoint will work with the client to complete final system testing and any defects will be identified and corrected. When all identified defects have been corrected, the application will be presented to the client for final acceptance.

Local Program Management

Skilled program management is critical to the success of any software development effort. Because we are absolutely committed to 100% client satisfaction and because we GUARANTEE our services to our clients, we have developed a very efficient and effective PM approach. Further, we assign a dedicated, program manager to each client who will act as the primary day-to-day communication point. Also, understanding that software development does not, in reality, always follow a uniform, straight-line path from the first step to the last, our PM works with each client to adapt our standard approach to the unique client environment.