We are pleased to announce that Forrester Research analyst Dave West recently published a full report on Ci&T titled: “Case Study: Ci&T’s Path To Lean Methods.” The case study details the company’s transformation from a successful user of the Rational Unified Process (RUP), which West author himself helped to develop, to an adopter of Agile methodologies and, ultimately, a pioneer in the employment of Lean principles both internally and in the projects it delivers for global clients. Ci&T was also featured in another report by West titled “Agile Systems Integrators: Plausible or Paradoxical?” which examines the efforts of both large and midsize companies that have leveraged Agile methodologies in their technology initiatives. Click here to download the full reports.

Ci&T in July announced the completion of a stellar first half of 2010, with increased revenues from both current and new client projects like MetLife, the launch of its new Innovation Program and multiple industry award wins and educational initiatives all supporting its commitment to and delivery of Lean application development. The company’s CEO, Cesar Gon, was featured by leading website Nearshore Americas as one of the top ten most influential executives in nearshore outsourcing, and throughout 1H 2010, Ci&T hosted live events in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta aimed at educating senior-level IT executives on the state of Lean principles and agile methodologies in outsourced software development. Click here for the full release.

Goool!!!, a new table soccer game for Apple’s iPad, is the latest application to be released as a product of Ci&T’s Innovation Program. The game, which is designed for two players, recreates the popular button table soccer game from Brazil, and lets players choose their favorite world soccer teams from 32 different countries. Additionally, players can choose pre-determined strategic formations, have full control of their teams’ 11 players and celebrate goals with all the excitement of a real soccer game using lifelike sounds and animation. The application is available via the iTunes app store by clicking here.

Also in July, Leonardo Mattiazzi contributed a column to leading IT industry blog IDG connect, focusing on some of the myths and realities for CIOs looking to invest in nearshore outsourcing for application development. Specifically, Leonardo looks at cost and communication as the two chief roadblocks companies typically see as impediments to working with a nearshore provider, and makes a case for nearshore as a more cost-effective and streamlined approach than offshore. Click here to read Leonardo’s thoughts.
Most recently, Leonardo touted the benefits of Lean application development on Sandhill.com, a site focused on the business of software. In the piece, he makes the case for Lean as a primary method for improving cost, quality, speed and agility when applied to a development project. Click here to read the full article.

Take a listen to the latest installment in our podcast series exploring unique approaches to IT and application development. In this episode, Leonardo Mattiazzi and Jack Cesareo introduce the topic of Value Engineering as a method for enabling an ongoing communication dialogue between IT and business participants in application development projects. Leonardo offers examples of ways in which development teams can work with business leaders to define value in each project – a key principle of Lean IT. You can also download this podcast for free on iTunes!
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In June, Felibe Rubim, systems architect for Ci&T, attended the Rails Conference 2010 in Baltimore, the largest and most important conference in the world dedicated to the Ruby on Rails (RoR) web application development framework. Speaking about his experience at the Conference, Rubim said “The 2010 event reminded me that the RoR community is innovative and tremendously active, its members are extremely experienced and market demand for the framework is very high.” The RoR framework brings considerably more agility to web development and ensures better quality in the products ultimately delivered. Visit the conference site here.

Ci&T hosted its first-ever “Making Agile Lean to Boost Business Value in Application Development” executive breakfast event on April 14, 2010 in New York. Dave West, senior analyst, Forrester Research provided the keynote address. The event provided senior-level IT executives with an opportunity to network with peers and hear detailed presentations on the state of lean principles and agile methodologies in software development.

Ci&T had the honor of recently speaking with Jim Luckman, partner, at the Lean Enterprise Institute. Luckman talked about the roots of his advocacy of lean and discussed best practices applied to Information Technology. He also discussed common mistakes companies encounter when undergoing a lean transformation.

1) How long have you personally been an advocate of lean?
My journey started when I was a plant manager 14 years ago.

2) Tell me about your earliest experience with lean. How did you first come to understand the application and value of lean principles?
Delphi was rolling out their version of the Toyota Production System the same year that the book “Lean Thinking” was published. I became very interested in what I understood at that time and began to make small changes, particularly with regard to engaging associates. I saw some remarkable improvements when the people became proactive.

3) Are there specific business areas and functions for which lean is better suited (e.g., manufacturing, IT) than others?
Many people think of lean as a set of tools. With that mindset, the most appropriate area is manufacturing. Since I have a view of lean that is about creating a problem solving and learning culture, the model of improvement is equally important for all functions.

4) What’s your experience with lean applied in an IT organization?
I have been able to work with several companies at applying lean to IT. My attempt was at coaching an internal IT team with application of SAP in their manufacturing area. The lead time was cut in half. Since then, I have worked with an IT company that provides data to big banks, a high technology company, and a finance company. All were engaged in trying to understand Agile vs. Waterfall.

5) Why, in your estimation, is lean an effective approach for IT and software development?
I have focused much of my effort on applying lean to product development. IT and PD share the same problem of creating the understanding that their primary value stream is about creating knowledge, as fast as possible. Because of this, there are some unique techniques that need to be applied. Agile is conceptually compatible with Lean, but what we do is make sure everyone is learning daily about the product (software) and process every day.

6) What are some of the biggest challenges companies face in applying lean principles?
Lean is a different mindset. Getting all people to recognize that they are operating inside a different paradigm and need to question their current assumptions is the most difficult part.

7) Do you view lean as more effective when used on its own, or in conjunction with other approaches?
Since lean is about creating a more effective way to solve problems, it is best thought of as an umbrella and the other approaches are potential tools to assist in problem solving.

8 ) How do you view lean when compared to and/or used in tandem with approaches like agile or RUP?
I had the opportunity to conduct a value stream improvement project for a company where they were developing software with both Agile and Waterfall. They designed a future state that was above both processes and implemented the best of both. It was very successful.

9) What are some of the common mistakes companies make when undergoing a lean transformation?
The most common mistake is to view lean as simply another project rather than something that is about changing the mindset of the organization. Many companies use lean for cost savings only.

10) What would be your advice for a company that is interested in executing a lean transformation, but doesn’t know where to begin?
It is best to begin the effort by defining a business problem at a leadership position, something that “keeps you awake at night”. Then, select an area for making improvement based on the problem. Use this as an opportunity to scope a project, have a value stream mapping workshop, and then implement the change through multiple learning cycles in order to embed the thinking of problem solving and learning. Organizational learning has begun and additional efforts can easily be defined.

Ci&T has once again been recognized by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) on the Global Outsourcing 100® outsourced service provider list. This year, Ci&T achieved a number-two ranking in the “Rising Star” judging group of the Global 100, up nine spots from its previous number-11 ranking in 2009. (Read more)

Take a listen to the latest installment in our podcast series exploring unique approaches to IT and application development. In this episode, Leonardo Mattiazzi and Jack Cesareo continue the discussion of Val IT as a strategic framework for delivering greater business value in IT projects, offering practical advice for how companies can measure the success of this approach. This includes examining the business goals established at the outset of each project, monitoring the success of these goals after software has been delivered and keeping project teams apprised of business objectives to build long-term business-IT relationships. ! You can also download this podcast for free on iTunes! Listen here!