Method Arts | A Consortium

The Sprint

By Mark Bixby // Feb 5, 2007 // Creative // 191 Comments // Permalink Mark Bixby's Mug Shot

$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.

Wow, sounds like an awesome time! 12 hours of insanity. Fun, educational, and enlightening I'm sure, but you guys are crazy. Aren't most of you from different areas though? Did you just fly into the same location to pull this off?

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
Amazing work Mark. Unfortunately state and even federal governments sometimes aren't very selective about who they offer/ select proposals from. I worked for a company once that was only staying afloat due to a large government contract that they were moving incredibly slow on. The whole process of 'winning' these projects never seems very transparent.
Rob Goodlatte - came up with this gem on Mar 14, 2007
UNbelievable. I had quickly skimmed over this post and project when you posted it, but when you told me about it at SXSW I couldn't believe my ears -- $11 million over budget?! Five years overdue?! Those facts alone are worth wide-eyed amazement, but that you guys tackled the problem and nailed a solution in less than a day ... revolutionary.

(I think Philip is onto a great idea there.)
Sean S - added to the collective on Mar 14, 2007
Looks really nice. Were you able to develop all of those items... wireframes, templates, sitemaps, etc. all within 12 hours? If so... impressive. I can't wait to see the final product.
Zach Katkin - typed this brilliance on Apr 7, 2007
Zach, we got pretty far, but not to completion. We did do all the wireframes, templates and sitemaps, but actual implementation of the site was maybe 80%.
- started this rumor on Jun 25, 2007
Thats really a good budget for a website! Its always these 3 components: time, budget and quality. If they work well together, work is fun!
Andrew - made this noise on Jul 23, 2007
I also can't believe you did all that in just 12 hours. It would take me at least 10 days. I like your concept, especially the color combination!
Andy - shared this intimate secret on Aug 9, 2007
Its shocking the amount of money being wasted by idiots running the things these day!
dean - came up with this gem on Sep 23, 2007
I like your concept..
- started this rumor on Dec 24, 2007
great post thank you very much.
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
I'm still in awe ... 12 hours and all that accomplished? I have done things under time pressure before - but never in such a tight timeframe. Wonderful work, I'd love to see it when it goes out.
online fx trading - came up with this gem on Jul 11, 2008
Being a former TCS employee, I would say that the company does have many many loopholes..!
Algonquin Real Estate - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Jul 15, 2008
That wouldn't be the first time a web project went over budget.
Philad - started this rumor on Jul 25, 2008
The problem always seems to be at the customers end, they have no idea what they buy and what time it takes to create quality.

Am glad you guys made it anyway.
Giftoverload.com - came up with this gem on Jul 27, 2008
Wow!, How come you could come up with a solution in just 12 hours?, I mean in that span of time? Your team are genius!
Buboy Francisco - made this noise on Aug 3, 2008
The concept looks great - modern web 2.0 -ish !! Nice!
Home Buyer Poll - made this noise on Aug 7, 2008
WOW! I am impressed at the collaboration in such a short period of time. Your team is very talented.
First House - shared this intimate secret on Aug 11, 2008
Looking forward to the new site!
- came up with this gem on Aug 12, 2008
you guys rule!
- had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Aug 12, 2008
Looks like the future site should be nice!
Rürup Rente - made this noise on Aug 15, 2008
Very good information will continue in this blog !
Online forex trading system - came up with this gem on Aug 19, 2008
Certainly looks like you've accomplished a lot - keep it up!
public adjusters - shared this intimate secret on Aug 23, 2008
I have passed this blog on to many others! GOOD JOB

Public Adjusters
Public Adjusters - typed this brilliance on Aug 24, 2008
It's a bomb!!!
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
All of the team that made this up are very experienced, keep it up dude.
Mikaela - typed this brilliance on Aug 29, 2008
Bookmarked it. Will be back soon..!
bad signal - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 6, 2008
Great review!!!

Really important information.
Document Management System - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Sep 9, 2008
Great information. I've bookmarked this!
LPG commercial vehicles - made this noise on Sep 10, 2008
Nice job. Designing a new website is a challenging proposition. Looks like you did a great job.
Peter Monroe - came up with this gem on Sep 10, 2008
Looks really GOOD! Were you able to develop all of templates and sitemaps.
Free Host - used their words like weapons on Sep 13, 2008
thanks!
הפקות אירועים - started this rumor on Sep 14, 2008
great post.
הכרויות - made this noise on Sep 14, 2008
very intersting. thank you...
בניית אתרים - came up with this gem on Sep 14, 2008
Looks fantastic!
Spa Cloth - added to the collective on Sep 14, 2008
The design looks solid. Wow a 12 hour meeting. That must have been intense. Glad to hear it went well, congrats.
fela attorney - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Sep 15, 2008
Thanks a lot nice written article!
Downloadable mobile games - added to the collective on Sep 15, 2008
Their current site IS NOT WORKING anymore
Diseño Altamira - added to the collective on Sep 16, 2008
Yes, and where is the current site? I'd like to see it.
Miro - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 16, 2008
user personas, ”deconstructed wire-frames”, site map, visual wire-frames, page templates, working CSS/HTML markup is good strategy.
Funny sms - made this noise on Sep 17, 2008
State and federal governments sometimes aren't very selective about who they offer or select proposals from
High Blood Pressure Symptoms - shared this intimate secret on Sep 17, 2008
$11 million over budget?! Five years overdue?! Those facts alone are worth wide-eyed amazing. Good informatic article.
Straight Razor - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 17, 2008
Thanks so much this is really a great insight, by the way your website is really nice.
jobs in accounts - used their words like weapons on Sep 28, 2008
where is the current site? They seem not working anymore...
How to become rich fast - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Sep 29, 2008
Sure looks like you folks have done a fine job. Keep it up...
Hosting - used their words like weapons on Sep 30, 2008
Every site needs a sitemap. It makes it very easy to navigate the site. I cannot believe there are web developers out there that build sites without a site-map.
Andrew - used their words like weapons on Oct 7, 2008
Gr8 post !!!
really nice information...
Document Storage System - came up with this gem on Oct 11, 2008
Great review, informative article, i like the design and they have done a good job.
Double Glazing in Preston - typed this brilliance on Oct 16, 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.
Conservatories Preston - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Oct 17, 2008
haha, nice!
zara clothing - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Oct 17, 2008
Post is great with some nice information..........Thanks.
Plumber Cleveland - started this rumor on Oct 19, 2008
Good post. Although, I would have preffered a cleaner alternative.
Essay - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Oct 19, 2008
Great stuff.. Thanks a lot for sharing this with us.
Electric Guitar Pedals - typed this brilliance on Oct 20, 2008
Where is the site? I'd like to see it.
Robbs - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Oct 22, 2008
Absolutely great job! You may spend a lot of time for this. I just say one word Fabulous.
Office Cleaning in Surrey - started this rumor on Oct 23, 2008
Great masterpiece. That's what you called 2 heads are better than one.
ecommerce website development - made this noise on Oct 26, 2008
Seems to me almost everything involved with the government goes massively overbudget. And it takes a lot of schmoozing to win one of these contracts too. Unless you know someone like Dick Cheney, lol

Everyone is out to screw the taxpayers.
Marc from Miami - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Oct 28, 2008
have done things under time pressure before - but never in such a tight timeframe. Wonderful work, I'd love to see it when it goes out.

Great post..
thanks...
forex tools - started this rumor on Oct 30, 2008
I appreciate your customer services. And surely your business plan. Thanks.
DMS Guide - came up with this gem on Oct 30, 2008
nice! Loved your pics and captions!
wooden trunks - typed this brilliance on Oct 30, 2008
Nice introduce with your business plan. Hope it will see the success. Thanks.
Document Management resource - used their words like weapons on Nov 1, 2008
I'm impresses by your productivity, guys. Noone else can manage that terms. And it really looks great!
rpar - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Nov 1, 2008
No offense, folks, but it seems to be impossible to do what you have done, is it some kind of cheating? If not then I can only admire you.
danny - made this noise on Nov 2, 2008
The concept looks great must have been a great buzz working in such a tight group on a short deadline.
Luton vans - typed this brilliance on Nov 3, 2008
Great piece of work. Nice design and great looking them. Wish u all the best and more and more is going on.
Business Magnet Directory - made this noise on Nov 3, 2008
This article really inspired me a lot.
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
Thank you for the time you took to write this article. It was informative and for sure you bring some good points.

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
Thank you for your article, it takes time to write this type of articles and I appreciate the time you took in order to share with the rest of us your point of view.

Sherry
life insurance - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Nov 4, 2008
its a great project.what u have done is really admirable.
and lots of thanks for sharing with us.
Investment dir - used their words like weapons on Nov 5, 2008
A job well done indeed. It's unbelievable but it's great.

Many thanks for sharing this information.
Airport Taxi - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Nov 6, 2008
If you want the good stuff, it will take time, there will always be trials and errors in order for us to get the perfect output that we're looking for.

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
You write very well.
Charlot - added to the collective on Nov 7, 2008
Too great for any comments!
Wish you Good luck!
girisimci33.info/
Sunny - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Nov 7, 2008
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo

GOOD WORK!
Plumber - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Nov 7, 2008
Brilliant Work From Brilliant Minds!

Good Job!
Domestic Roofing - added to the collective on Nov 7, 2008
Good work!

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
I think it's Good budget for a website. Really you do the great job.
Life Insurance Cover - came up with this gem on Nov 8, 2008
The problem always seems to be at the customers end, they have no idea what they buy and what time it takes to create quality.

Am glad you guys made it anyway.
discount fragrance - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Nov 9, 2008
yep.. i agree what you have said..
thanks for providing nice info..
best regards,
discount cologne
beauty shop - had this incredible stroke of brilliance on Nov 9, 2008
Great work.
Saffron - used their words like weapons on Nov 9, 2008
I had quickly skimmed over this post and project when you posted it, but when you told me about it at SXSW I couldn't believe my ears -- $11 million over budget?

Any how.. Great way of explanation..
thank you.
new trailers
new trailers - came up with this gem on Nov 10, 2008
Great concept, i think you were spend more time on this project and planing is also very technical and good. Please keep it on. I speack on my site voyance gratuite
voyance - made this noise on Nov 17, 2008
Amazing concept , intellegent approach
thanks for sharing
temporary insurance - started this rumor on Nov 21, 2008
Thanks for your great post. Nice information you give here. Really admirable.
online money making scams - started this rumor on Nov 24, 2008
Muchas gracias por la explicación. Like you said good stuff takes time.
Venta de Sociedades - couldn’t keep them to themselves on on Nov 25, 2008
Cool design... simple but stylish
Plainfield Eeal Estate - typed this brilliance on Nov 25, 2008
I so like the style of this blog. It has a simple design that goes perfect with the combination of colors.

Good work!
Speakers - typed this brilliance on Nov 25, 2008
i think you were spend more time on this project and planing is also very technical and good. Please keep it on...
Essay
Essay - added to the collective on Nov 26, 2008
Your project seems to be really extraordinary.we should encourage you.
Thanks for sharing
regards
Oil Paintings
Zaidler - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Nov 26, 2008
Really great stuff sir.. thanks for sharing such an beautiful article..
best regards,
goji noni
- typed this brilliance on Nov 29, 2008
Great article your very talented and and straight to the point and concise!

thank,
Randall Mallery
pregnancy - shared this intimate secret on Nov 29, 2008
Extremely markable project. Outstanding attitude.
Thanks for sharing sir
Singles Digest
Singles Digest - added to the collective on Dec 1, 2008
That is extremely unbelieveable,
Great work done by you sir
Thank you
regards
magic tricks
Magic Tricks - used their words like weapons on Dec 1, 2008
I guess great investigation has undergone at that time,
Remarkable project in that era
SSN Locator
SSN Locator - felt the overwhelming need to share this with everyone on Dec 2, 2008
for the benefit of all. two heads are better than one. Goodluck!
New Mexico crafts fair - shared this intimate secret on Dec 4, 2008
Those facts alone are worth wide-eyed amazement, but that you guys tackled the problem and nailed a solution in less than a day ... revolutionary.
thanks for sharing such an nice article..
regards,
Modern Lighting
Modern Lighting - added to the collective on Dec 7, 2008
Wow that was simply amazing
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
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
regards,
cayenne pepper diet
juice cayenne pepper diet - came up with this gem on Dec 10, 2008
Looks really GOOD! Were you able to develop all of templates and sitemaps.

diet
- added to the collective on Dec 10, 2008
this is was really a great discussion..
thanks a lot for sharing..
regards,
bugatti veyron
- came up with this gem on Dec 11, 2008
11 million over budget? That is just a little to much for my taste. I do love ruby on rails thought and thanks for your time to make this post !

Brian
Columns - used their words like weapons on Dec 11, 2008

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