Modem Media Case Study

Challenge

Modem Media is a publicly traded company providing interactive advertising, business strategy and web development services to Fortune 1000 clients. In the spring of 2000 Modem acquired Vivid Studios, an Internet professional services firm with a history of success in software development and user-centered website design. After the acquisition, Modem senior management asked PureProject Principal Debbie Lefkowitz to help lead a project management and software process education and training initiative.

Execution

Debbie led a cross-disciplinary team that developed and implemented a software development best practices training program. The team established a two-part strategy.

First, a companywide Intranet was developed with information on web development best practices as well as links to useful articles and websites.  

Second, the team created a hands-on, case based training course in software best practices and project management. The course was designed for small, cross-disciplinary teams. Instructors and staff were drawn from all departments within the company. The course gave students the opportunity to learn more about key best practices and test out their new knowledge in “real-world” worksessions and exercises.

Results

After completing the training, Modem employees gained a solid understanding of website development best practices and were able to successfully participate in web development projects. The Intranet reinforced in-class training with detailed information in various best practices and project management techniques. Debbie and the team received rave reviews and many requests for follow-up classes.