CIPS Bespoke Web-Based Application

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) appointed PSP to enhance their Direct Associate Diary Management (DADM) module, transforming it into a robust web-based application. This case study highlights the key features and improvements that have resulted from this project, showcasing how the application optimises the management of tutor diaries for CIPS.

Key Features of the New Diary Management Module

User-Friendly Interface: The web-based application provides a streamlined experience for users, making it easier for CIPS to manage tutor diaries efficiently
Centralised Management: The application allows for the creation of packages, modules, and tutor days in a centralised location. This consolidation simplifies the overall management process
Tutor Assignment by Competence: Tutors can be assigned based on their specific competence levels and subject expertise, ensuring that the right tutor is matched with the right module
Comprehensive Tutor Calendar: A dedicated tutor calendar displays the statuses of provisional, confirmed, and cancelled bookings, allowing for improved visibility and management of all tutor bookings
Streamlined Batch Entry for Activities: The feature for entering specific activities through batch entry, such as holidays, enhances efficiency by ensuring tutors are not scheduled during their unavailable periods.

Key Features of the Auto-Billing Module Redevelopment

Integrated Invoicing Application: The Auto-Billing module has been redeveloped to allow the exam team to invoice markers for their assessments and any applicable standardisation fees
Seamless Integration with Finance Application: The new module integrates flawlessly with CIPS's existing finance application, keeping the automatic invoice processing that eliminates manual intervention.
Direct Invoice Communication: Invoices are sent directly from the application to the markers, simplifying the communication process and ensuring timely payments
Flexible Invoice Management: CIPS retains the ability to print and resend invoices if needed, providing additional flexibility and control over the invoicing process

Development & Hosting

The development team focused on building a user-friendly interface that would enhance user experience, implementing best practices in software development to guarantee a smooth and efficient operation, while redeveloping all required existing functionality and logic from the Windows application to the web-based application.

By utilising the latest hosting technologies allowed for seamless deployment and management of the application, optimising performance while minimising downtime.

PSP took charge of hosting the entire application for CIPS, leveraging our resilient cloud platform’s capabilities to provide a reliable and secure environment. This hosting solution not only supports the application's infrastructure but also integrates account login functionality, enabling users to access the application with ease and security. By using this authentication method, users benefit from a streamlined sign-in process while maintaining the integrity of their data. Overall, the combination of our cloud hosting platform and the development team's innovative design choices has resulted in a robust application tailored to meet CIPS's needs.

Testing

Software testing is an essential step in the development process that ensures the quality and reliability of applications. It helps identify bugs and issues before the software is released to users. A robust testing strategy not only improves performance but also enhances user satisfaction, making it a critical component of any software project.

PSP's Internal Testing Process

PSP takes software testing seriously. The internal testing team followed established PSP standard procedures to create comprehensive testing documentation. This process included:

Scenario Matrix Creation: Developing a matrix to outline various testing scenarios ensures that all possible use cases are covered
User-Friendly Test Plans: Writing clear and concise test plans that are easy to understand helps streamline the testing process for all team members
Thorough Internal Testing: Conducting extensive internal testing and bug management is crucial to identify and resolve issues early
Usability and Performance Focus: Ensuring the new web-based application is user-friendly, efficient, and quick to load

UAT Sessions

During the UAT sessions conducted on-site at the PSP Offices, the main application users engaged with the test plans to verify that the application aligned with the requirements previously established for the Windows application. This collaborative effort is essential for validating that the software meets user expectations and operational needs.

Additional Enhancements

In alignment with their commitment to quality and user satisfaction, PSP rapidly completed several usability and functional enhancements. These included:

Extra Functionality: Adding features that improve overall usability
Usability Tweaks: Enhancing the tutor calendar to display half day bookings along with a key to explain the different colours used and a day view pop-up to show all bookings happening on that one day
Data Extraction Improvements: Streamlining the process for retrieving data more efficiently

These enhancements demonstrate PSP's dedication to continually improve the user experience and ensure the application meets the evolving needs of its users.

Data Migration

In this project, PSP conducted a comprehensive data migration after CIPS performed a thorough data cleansing. Specific criteria for data migration were established, allowing PSP to successfully transfer the necessary data.

Quality Assurance Process

Following the migration, PSP's internal quality team executed rigorous checks to verify the accuracy of the transferred data. This process included comparisons between the old and new applications to ensure that all data was correctly migrated.

Final Review and Launch

Once the internal team completed their checks and provided their approval, the data migration was finalised within the live environment. This version was then shared with CIPS for their review and formal sign-off.

After receiving CIPS's confirmation, the application was officially launched. Currently, the application serves as an internal tool utilised by CIPS staff.

Conclusion

The redevelopment of the Windows based application to web-based application, is the foundation for a future project between CIPS and PSP, involving the development of six additional phases included improved tutor and account management, integration to CIPS back-office application and much more.

PSP is proud to support CIPS in achieving their goals through this innovative solution.