Reimagining a Cost Analysis Tool

We started our engagement with a multi-day Discovery workshop to frame the opportunity and begin to dive deep into the future of the tool. At the end of the workshop, it was clear that we needed to build a more accessible, intuitive tool, but there were several ways to do it. The solution space was less certain, so we decided a Lean Startup-based approach would provide the best outcome for our client. The Discovery workshop resulted in a prioritized list of risks and unknowns to tackle with prototypes.

Early prototypes were validated and iterated on with users and internal stakeholders. We were able to quickly reject bad ideas and amplify good ones based on this early feedback. With a design in hand, we were able to focus on a target persona and initial features for an MVP. We worked with our client to create the backlog and begin design and development of the new desktop application. To ensure we were building the right thing, we broke the first release up into smaller, minor releases, getting user feedback along the way. These releases served as validation points to course-correct as the software came to life. Discovery is never truly finished. After the core application was in place, we focused our efforts on increasing user adoption.

We held a workshop to apply the concepts of Gamification to our client’s product. For years, the video game industry has focused on consumer engagement techniques. SEP has pioneered the application of these techniques at enterprise-level with our clients. After a one-day workshop session, we compiled the ideas from the workshop into a series of recommendations that were worked into the product backlog and roadmap.