The Sprint
$11M over budget, and five years late? Um...
In 2000, TCS America, a US subsidiary of India based Tata Consulting Services was contracted by the State of New Mexico to build an unemployment insurance benefits website - to offset bottlenecking in the Department of Labor’s phone system and office locations. The site needed to provide useful resources, answer questions and allow users to apply for benefits. Their current site (originally contracted for $3.6 M, and due by 2002) left us wondering what had gone wrong.
“Let’s just build it!”
No one can remember who exactly to blame, er… credit for that statement, but it wasn’t long before we’d defined a challenge for ourselves. We had a couple organizational meetings, assembled a great team, and on Sunday Jan 28, 2007 a group of 10 designers and developers came together in an office for 12 hours to see what we could come up with. The goal? Concept, design, code and perhaps even launch a website that exceeds the requirements and capabilities of the current site.
Good stuff takes time.
There’s a process and a workflow involved in web development. It was challenging, and at points comical, working through our improvised “simultaneous development strategy”. We knew before we ever started this wouldn’t end up a shining example of what’s possible working together, with modern technologies and practices. That’s simply not going to happen in one 12 hour day. This exercise was about the journey.
Why’d we do it?
Our motivation was not to win a contract (Method Arts is not interested in that piece of work). And it certainly wasn’t to make anyone at the State look foolish. We wanted to illustrate some of the opportunities that had perhaps been overlooked on this project, such as user experience, valid CSS/HTML, web standards, accessibility, technologies and frameworks like AJAX and Ruby on Rails. Also, we wanted to highlight some of the capabilities of our collaborative working model, and that companies need not go to Bangalore to find great talent.
So what did we accomplish, and what did we learn?
Well… (taking a deep breath) we: developed user personas, outlined ”deconstructed wire-frames”, created a site map, developed visual wire-frames, designed page templates, wrote working CSS/HTML markup, wrote part of a custom CMS using Ruby on Rails, created a secure login, user registration, and an AJAXy questionnaire (for weekly filing) that dynamically determines the next question, and simultaneously logs everything into a database (that we designed).
A few highlights - Developer Andrew Hedges got a crash course in Ruby on Rails from Programmer Daniel Lyons. And CSS guru Brian Warren got to try out and implement sIFR 3, although we didn’t use it in our finished templates (in the interest of keeping things simple and lightweight). That’s all going to come in handy on future projects!

Some design changes.
In the end it was a marvelous day. Experts working together solving problems, feeding off each others’ energy, learning… We’ll discuss as a group where to go from here. Perhaps we’ll finish the site and launch it as a demo. Or perhaps we’ll find another opportunity for a similar exercise, where we can afford more time, and maybe even create a website for a charitable cause.
Regardless, it seems we all got what we needed out of the day, and are looking forward to the next Method Arts Sprint. Hear the team wrap up HERE!
UPDATE!
Some Linkage:
An immidiate reaction in Daniel’s Post
An account from Reid Givens’ Post
A great reaction in the comments over at The Duke City Fix
A long week relived in Andrew’s Post
Another P.O.V. over on Brian’s Post
Dev Team...
Vincent Thome - Project Coordinator
Mark Bixby - Creative Director
Brian Warren - Web Developer (CSS/HTML, PHP, Javascript)
Andrew Hedges - Programmer, Manager (JavaScript, AJAX, JSON, PHP, MySQL)
Daniel Lyons - Lead Programmer (Ruby on Rails)
Lance Sanchez - Programmer (Ruby on Rails)
Kelly Patrick Robinson - Web Developer (CSS/HTML, PHP)
Reid Givens - Designer/Developer, Audio Engineer
Joshua Sallach - Film Director, Video Production
Christopher Anderton - Video Production
Special Thanks.
We want to thank Mudhouse Creative for offering up their offices on a Sunday. Thanks also to Chama River Brewing Company for hosting our rather noisy after-sprint party.


This kind of stuff would be great to be a part of! And if you need ideas for charitable causes, I could probably come up with a couple non-profits that could benefit
Philip - shared this intimate secret on Feb 20, 2007
Rob Goodlatte - came up with this gem on Mar 14, 2007
(I think Philip is onto a great idea there.)
Sean S - added to the collective on Mar 14, 2007
Zach Katkin - typed this brilliance on Apr 7, 2007
- started this rumor on Jun 25, 2007
Andrew - made this noise on Jul 23, 2007
Andy - shared this intimate secret on Aug 9, 2007
dean - came up with this gem on Sep 23, 2007
- started this rumor on Dec 24, 2007
i realy like what your saying here.
keep up doing these great posts.
i love your blog.
השכרת מקרנים - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Jul 10, 2008
online fx trading - came up with this gem on Jul 11, 2008
Algonquin Real Estate - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Jul 15, 2008
Philad - started this rumor on Jul 25, 2008
Am glad you guys made it anyway.
Giftoverload.com - came up with this gem on Jul 27, 2008
Buboy Francisco - made this noise on Aug 3, 2008
Home Buyer Poll - made this noise on Aug 7, 2008
First House - shared this intimate secret on Aug 11, 2008
- came up with this gem on Aug 12, 2008
- had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Aug 12, 2008
Rürup Rente - made this noise on Aug 15, 2008
Online forex trading system - came up with this gem on Aug 19, 2008
public adjusters - shared this intimate secret on Aug 23, 2008
Public Adjusters
Public Adjusters - typed this brilliance on Aug 24, 2008
My congratulations and respect!!!
Keep up and be always an example for stepping for you;)
Ted - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Aug 26, 2008
Mikaela - typed this brilliance on Aug 29, 2008
bad signal - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 6, 2008
Really important information.
Document Management System - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Sep 9, 2008
LPG commercial vehicles - made this noise on Sep 10, 2008
Peter Monroe - came up with this gem on Sep 10, 2008
Free Host - used their words like weapons on Sep 13, 2008
הפקות אירועים - started this rumor on Sep 14, 2008
הכרויות - made this noise on Sep 14, 2008
בניית אתרים - came up with this gem on Sep 14, 2008
Spa Cloth - added to the collective on Sep 14, 2008
fela attorney - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Sep 15, 2008
Downloadable mobile games - added to the collective on Sep 15, 2008
Diseño Altamira - added to the collective on Sep 16, 2008
Miro - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 16, 2008
Funny sms - made this noise on Sep 17, 2008
High Blood Pressure Symptoms - shared this intimate secret on Sep 17, 2008
Straight Razor - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 17, 2008
jobs in accounts - used their words like weapons on Sep 28, 2008
How to become rich fast - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 29, 2008
Hosting - used their words like weapons on Sep 30, 2008
Andrew - used their words like weapons on Oct 7, 2008
really nice information...
Document Storage System - came up with this gem on Oct 11, 2008
Double Glazing in Preston - typed this brilliance on Oct 16, 2008
Conservatories Preston - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Oct 17, 2008
zara clothing - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Oct 17, 2008
Plumber Cleveland - started this rumor on Oct 19, 2008
Essay - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Oct 19, 2008
Electric Guitar Pedals - typed this brilliance on Oct 20, 2008
Robbs - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Oct 22, 2008
Office Cleaning in Surrey - started this rumor on Oct 23, 2008
ecommerce website development - made this noise on Oct 26, 2008
Everyone is out to screw the taxpayers.
Marc from Miami - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Oct 28, 2008
Great post..
thanks...
forex tools - started this rumor on Oct 30, 2008
DMS Guide - came up with this gem on Oct 30, 2008
wooden trunks - typed this brilliance on Oct 30, 2008
Document Management resource - used their words like weapons on Nov 1, 2008
rpar - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Nov 1, 2008
danny - made this noise on Nov 2, 2008
Luton vans - typed this brilliance on Nov 3, 2008
Business Magnet Directory - made this noise on Nov 3, 2008
Great design, i think you were spend more time on this project and planing is also very technical and good. Please keep it on.
Regards,
chirurgie esthetique Montreal
chirurgie esthetique Montreal - typed this brilliance on Nov 4, 2008
I agree that good stuff takes time, but also we need to understand the need to deliver or finish something in a timely manner, most projects go way too long pass their due date and time in business means money.
Thank you
Jose Pelligra
nanny cams` - shared this intimate secret on Nov 4, 2008
Sherry
life insurance - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Nov 4, 2008
and lots of thanks for sharing with us.
Investment dir - used their words like weapons on Nov 5, 2008
Many thanks for sharing this information.
Airport Taxi - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Nov 6, 2008
It's a good thing you took your time to create the project. Job well done!!! Hats off to you guys!!!
Blocked Drains - typed this brilliance on Nov 6, 2008
Charlot - added to the collective on Nov 7, 2008
Wish you Good luck!
girisimci33.info/
Sunny - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Nov 7, 2008
GOOD WORK!
Plumber - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Nov 7, 2008
Good Job!
Domestic Roofing - added to the collective on Nov 7, 2008
By the way just want to say I like your blog design. Simple yet rockin'
Numatic Supplies - shared this intimate secret on Nov 7, 2008
Life Insurance Cover - came up with this gem on Nov 8, 2008
Am glad you guys made it anyway.
discount fragrance - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Nov 9, 2008
thanks for providing nice info..
best regards,
discount cologne
beauty shop - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Nov 9, 2008
Saffron - used their words like weapons on Nov 9, 2008
Any how.. Great way of explanation..
thank you.
new trailers
new trailers - came up with this gem on Nov 10, 2008
voyance - made this noise on Nov 17, 2008
thanks for sharing
temporary insurance - started this rumor on Nov 21, 2008
online money making scams - started this rumor on Nov 24, 2008
Venta de Sociedades - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Nov 25, 2008
Plainfield Eeal Estate - typed this brilliance on Nov 25, 2008
Good work!
Speakers - typed this brilliance on Nov 25, 2008
Essay
Essay - added to the collective on Nov 26, 2008
Thanks for sharing
regards
Oil Paintings
Zaidler - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Nov 26, 2008
best regards,
goji noni
- typed this brilliance on Nov 29, 2008
thank,
Randall Mallery
pregnancy - shared this intimate secret on Nov 29, 2008
Thanks for sharing sir
Singles Digest
Singles Digest - added to the collective on Dec 1, 2008
Great work done by you sir
Thank you
regards
magic tricks
Magic Tricks - used their words like weapons on Dec 1, 2008
Remarkable project in that era
SSN Locator
SSN Locator - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Dec 2, 2008
New Mexico crafts fair - shared this intimate secret on Dec 4, 2008
thanks for sharing such an nice article..
regards,
Modern Lighting
Modern Lighting - added to the collective on Dec 7, 2008
sir i would like to say that were not small changes,your design completely changed it, No comparison
saleHoo review
Thank you
saleHoo review - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Dec 8, 2008
regards,
cayenne pepper diet
juice cayenne pepper diet - came up with this gem on Dec 10, 2008
diet
- added to the collective on Dec 10, 2008
thanks a lot for sharing..
regards,
bugatti veyron
- came up with this gem on Dec 11, 2008
Brian
Columns - used their words like weapons on Dec 11, 2008
Rules of Engagement
Add a Comment