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Discovery Phase Services

The Sprint Zero is a vital first step in planning a new project. It basically means creating a blueprint that covers everything from the project's scope and requirements to the architecture and design needed to bring your vision to life. Sprint Zero is your project's foundation.

Why is it so important? Imagine if you start the development process based on the documents assumed to be technical specifications, only to discover they lack the depth required for accurate evaluation. You would be surprised, but in our practice, this happens quite often and can derail even the most promising projects. 

The Sprint Zero phase helps turn ideas into a clear and actionable plan. Through thorough analysis and consultations, we turn your initial documents into a detailed framework that covers every step of the project lifecycle. So, start a journey of exploration & strategy with Evrone! 

Why Sprint Zero matters in Product Development

Starting to develop a new product without a clear plan is like trying to find your way in the dark. This is why Sprint Zero, also known as the Discovery Phase, is so essential, for example, when you don’t have a clear picture of what the final product (your MVP or Minimum Viable Product) should be, how it should be built (the architecture), or even how much money you’ll have to make it happen. Sprint Zero helps sort out these critical details.

The main perks of doing a Sprint Zero include avoiding the common traps of planning too little and spending too much. Early on, it’s easy to make wrong guesses about how much everything will cost or what kind of technology and design your project needs.

Another big benefit is making sure everyone involved, from designers to engineers, knows what the goal is. When you clearly define what you're trying to build and why, everyone works better together. They see how their piece fits into the big picture, which can speed up the whole process.

By investing time in this phase, you save money and headaches later by getting a clearer understanding of these elements right from the start.

The outcomes of the Discovery Phase

Once the Discovery Phase is over, here's what you'll have in your hands:

A Clearly Defined MVP
You'll receive a document, typically between 40 to 50 pages, that outlines the justified composition of your Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This blueprint, representing about 4 to 5 months of work, lays the groundwork for your project’s initial phase.
Visual Wireframes
The conceptual design of two main screens of your upcoming project to give you a sneak peek into the user experience.
Integration Strategy and Risk Analysis
A plan for how the different pieces of your project will come together, along with a review of potential risks and mitigation strategies.
Detailed Project Assessment
This is a breakdown of the project that details the labor hours required from each specialist. Every aspect of the workload is accounted for.
Step-By-Step Plan
A plan detailing the steps needed to bring your project from concept to reality.
Tech Stack Recommendations
Guidance on selecting the most suitable programming languages and frameworks to make sure the tech stack aligns with your needs.
Features and Stories, Rated and Prioritized
A list of all features and user stories, organized by priority, to guide development focus.
A Release Plan
An outline that shows how and when each feature or story will be developed across iterations or sprints.
Application Architecture
At least a high-level view of the architecture, to make it clear how the features will be implemented and interact with each other.
Project Roadmap
A broad overview of the project’s trajectory, marking key milestones and deliverables.
First Sprint Backlog
The initial set of tasks and goals to tackle as you kick off development.
Assembled Project Team
A complete team ready to roll, including an Agile team and representatives from the customer side. All stakeholders are engaged.

 

Project Infrastructure
The technologies and tools set up and ready for the first sprint, laying the foundation for development to commence.

So, at the conclusion of the Discovery Phase, you have a detailed roadmap and the right team in place to turn your vision into a working product.

Key Steps

Team Formation and Kickoff

01
Assemble the Dream Team
We kick things off by bringing together a handpicked team of specialists, each chosen for their unique skills and experience. We make sure that you have all the expertise needed.
02
Roles and Responsibilities
Clarity is key. We define who does what and map out each team member's responsibilities to avoid overlaps and gaps. This is necessary for a smooth workflow and clear communication.
03
On-Site Immersion
To truly understand your vision, one of our key engineers will visit you. They’ll explore your world and learn about your product and needs up close. Then, they share these insights with the entire team.

Project Planning and Requirements

01
Blueprinting
After understanding your needs, we define the application’s architecture and design. This blueprint includes both High-Level Architecture (HLA) and High-Level Design (HLD) so that we have a solid plan for all technical requirements.
02
High-Level Overview
We distill the essence of your product into a clear overview of the system’s main components so that everyone understands the big picture.
03
Product Backlog Creation
We make a prioritized list of features and tasks. This product backlog guides the development process. We focus on what matters most.

Development Environment Setup

01
CI/CD Pipeline Integration
To keep development smooth and efficient, we set up Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
02
Ready to Code
Finally, we get the gears turning by setting up the development environment. We select the perfect technology stack and hardware, install software, acquire licenses, and have everything in place for coding to begin.

A Sales Director's Take: Why Skipping the Discovery Phase is Like Skipping Breakfast

Think of launching a software development project without a Sprint Zero phase as heading out on a road trip without checking your map, your fuel gauge, or even your destination. Sure, it’s adventurous, but chances are, you’re going to end up somewhere you didn’t plan to be, with a lot less in your wallet. I'm here to tell you, as the sales director who's seen it all, that the Discovery Phase isn't just a step in the process - it’s the secret sauce to a project that tastes like success. Starting something new? You’ve got two paths: jump straight in with a Time & Materials approach or take it slowly with Sprint Zero.

Both paths can lead to victory, but if you want to know what exactly to expect before even starting and make sure the final result meets your expectations, then the Discovery Phase is your must-have. Traditionally lasting four weeks with a budget of $8000, this phase offers concrete outputs: a well-defined business and architectural vision, precise time and cost estimates, and established project milestones. These elements collectively make your project a plan ready to be executed.

In essence, the Discovery Phase is about laying the groundwork for success. It helps avoid the pitfalls of underestimation and overextension by clarifying the scope and making sure that every stakeholder has a unified understanding of the project’s goals and limitations. This preparation allows for a balanced approach to development with quality results within the stipulated time and budget.
Anton Cherepanov Anton Cherepanov Sales Director, Evrone.com

Curious About the Cost and Crew for Your Discovery Phase?

Let’s talk numbers and names. Picture this: 4 weeks  and $8000. That’s your ticket to a well-planned project. Who’s going to be spending those days turning your ideas into a blueprint? Let’s meet the team:

Senior Tech Lead
Spearheads your project’s technical direction and aligns technology choices with your business goals and specifications.
Business Analyst
Analyzes market data and user needs to develop precise requirements for your product to meet market demand.
Project Manager
Coordinates timelines and team collaboration and keeps everything on schedule and within budget.
UX/UI Designer
Builds the visual elements and focuses on creating an engaging user experience.

Together, this dream team takes the lead for those 4 weeks and plans every aspect to perfection, all for $8000. It’s a small price to pay for launching your project on solid ground.

Your Next Step Towards Project Success

With a clear understanding of what’s ahead, from costs to team composition, you're now equipped to make decisions. In just 4 weeks and for $8000, our expert team - comprising a Senior Tech Lead, Business Analyst, Project Manager, and UX/UI Designer - will lay down the groundwork necessary for your triumph.

With Evrone, you're partnering with professionals who bring clarity, precision, and a strategic approach to your most ambitious ideas. Reach out to us, your project deserves the best start possible! Let us show you the way.

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