By gathering all the key stakeholders in one room, Medullan’s workshop team can let everyone at anytime know what is possible, what is costly and what is impossible. In a sense, we developers are the realists in a workshop; we have the implementation know-how to realize that some things are not worth chasing and the experience to say that it will take 1 week or 4 weeks.  We are also able to create a quick prototype of an idea to prove or disprove ideas generated in the sessions.

More importantly, by participating in the workshop, we too, can build strong relationships with the client that will be valuable throughout the project’s lifecycle.

In a workshop, the common language of the application is created by all participants. System modules and concepts are created and named and for all future communication with the clients, this language must be known and understood. With the relationship established and the common language understood, the project leadership no longer need be gate-keepers or bottle-necks when implementation issues arise.

While unorthodox, Medullan’s approach of including a developer in the workshop has proven to be valuable for both the developer and the client.  By keeping the team grounded in reality and opening the channels for future communication, the developer role in a workshop is essential.

iGetBetter is an advanced web application built primarily using 3 key technologies – Microsoft .NET 3.5, Entity Framework with MySQL and JQuery coupled with Windows Communication Foundation. From Microsoft the .NET 3.5 development framework allowed the development team to leverage several prepackaged tools allowing for a fast development cycle. Whenever client input led to design changes the .NET framework allowed us to quickly change direction and respond.

Another key technology used on iGetBetter is Entity Framework; it allows iGetBetter to have a pluggable tool to access iGetBetter’s database. To lower overall project cost the less expensive MySQL database platform was used during the alpha and beta phases of the project however, iGetBetter has the flexibility to transition to a full enterprise-grade database platform when needed.

iGetBetter is a dynamic application, in iGetBetter patient recuperation plans are modeled and are shown in many different views such as in a calendar, in a stack and on a timeline. Being web based but having native application type gestures such as ‘drag and drop’ and ’stacking’ required iGetBetter to use a JavaScript and user interface framework. Based on maturity and ease to learn we chose JQuery. iGetBetter is pushing the limits of modern browsers, JQuery coupled with the Windows Communication Foundation proved invaluable in representing an easy to use and advanced user interface while providing a stable and flexible application architecture.

Windows Communication Foundation provides a separation between the iGetBetter application and its user interface. What this means is if iGetBetter should need to work as a windows application or on a mobile device such as the iPhone, the time it takes to develop it will be significantly reduced.

Altogether these various technologies Microsoft .NET 3.5, Entity Framework, JQuery, Windows Communication Foundation and MySQL work together to provide a stable and flexible foundation for iGetBetter toadapt to new requirements and to meet application goals.