Astina, a software development company based in Zurich, sometimes sends its employees to the Swiss Alps. Not for a holiday, mind you, but so these employees can concentrate on their work. A win-win for the company and the client.
Cut off from the world, the development team can concentrate completely on their set task, without the modern distractions of e-mails, loud co-workers and telephone calls present in the usual office environment. This maximises time efficiency and also facilitates a more accurate estimation of the time needed to complete the project. Surrounded by nature, the team is able to work in its own creative space, leading to a higher quality software result.
The client too, has the advantage of knowing that their project will have the undivided attention of the programming team. They will also see the necessity of relaying clear project specifications to the team before they head off on their work-trip, optimising project cost, time and quality.
The project process
In the analysis phase, know-how from Astina, creative teams and PR agencies are brought together, in order to develop an initial project concept with the client. The project specifications are then refined and meticulously documented. The finished document needs to ready by an exact date, after which the client then has the chance to gather competitive bids based on these specifications from other potential software development companies.
Should no other company be able to match the bid, the Astina programmers pack their suitcases and head to the Swiss Alps for a few days.
Hotel, food and spa treatments are all provided, leaving the programmers free to concentrate completely on developing the best possible result for the client.
Undisturbed by the distractions of the office, the natural surroundings of the Alps inspire the perfect environment for creative problem-solving and efficient programming. Astina is so far thrilled with the results of their project development “work-holidays”.
The results of this method are really quite fascinating. The programmers are extremely motivated, completing the project in one efficient sweep. Of course the clients too, have been very happy with the results.
Larger IT firms, however, that are only familiar with traditional project management processes may still, at least initially, need a little convincing.
