Identifying issues

 

To identify and resolve shortcomings in our client’s practices, we met with stakeholders and suppliers both in the US and China. In order to create an action plan split into manageable stages, we first set out to examine their AS-IS software development processes, identifying gaps that were causing issues and devising strategies for how these could be improved. By mapping out the TO-BE process with a list of areas of improvement we were able to come up with a plan for the future, drawing up process goals to improve efficiency.

 

Honing productivity

 

From our findings we had learnt that the code-base was weak, the software development process ineffective and the communications strategy between the fashion house and its suppliers inefficient. In interrogating the 9 gaps we had isolated in this research, we developed 17 suggestions to improve productivity, including: an increased documentation of software development, the publishing of a statement of work by suppliers and all parties agreeing to an improved communications strategy. We then held interviews and workshops with suppliers to ensure that all parties understood the necessary action points.

 

Supplier streamlining

 

According to this plan, the suppliers understood that they needed to provide code-reviewed documentation, enabling us to isolate areas that needed to be streamlined. The stakeholder also agreed to implement all the suggestions we proposed, including a two-month timeline that saw the Chinese suppliers replace the operations of their American counterparts. These plans were successfully actualised and the resources of the two suppliers consolidated into one, greatly improving efficiency and leading to increased profits, greater synergy and reduced costs.