Quality

Rather than define quality by industry standards alone, MindTree goes a step further to take a customer-backwards view. We see quality as “value as perceived by the customer”.

To us, standards compliance is a given. However, we believe that there can be no ‘one size fits all’ definition of quality. Based on varying needs and expectations, customers take varying views of quality during each individual engagement. The company may be seeking value from timelines, cost-effectiveness, performance, service, or other parameters.

MindTree has a unique way of defining quality processes. Our process methodology is context-composed; we work closely with you to understand the unique “value” expected from each engagement, then tailor our processes to enable realization of that value. We measure our success through periodic formal independent feedback mechanisms.

Our focus on project-level quality systems ensures that every customer engagement progresses smoothly. Our Project Management capabilities are enhanced and driven by:

• Competency development through extensive trainings and certifications
• Infrastructure development through integrated project management tools
• Peer networking through community-based benchmarking and sharing within MindTree as well as with the industry

 

Certifications

MindTree, after becoming the youngest company to achieve Level 5 certification under both CMMi and PCMM models (since expired), is undergoing certification under the revised Software CMMi 1.2 version. We expect to be certified at Level 3 for our Media, Services, Retail and Government Industry group by the end of 2010. In parallel, we have also embarked on an organization-wide Level 3 certification, expected to be achieved by end of this financial year.

MindTree has also undertaken a journey to get its IMTS Business Unit assessed and certified under the ISO 20000 standard.

MindTree is certified under ISO 27001 standards for our Information Security Processes and Practices, and under ISO 13485 for Medical Device Design.

Processes, Tools and Systems

MindTree has well defined processes for each of our business and technology practices. These processes are defined and refined by practitioners themselves, with content being generated by project and industry experience. These experiences are integrated, structured, and validated against industry best practices.

MindTree Processes are made available globally to all MindTree Minds through a portal called ProcessNet. ProcessNet contains more than 900 artifacts with process descriptions, templates, checklists, guidelines, examples for all the different domains, with rich navigation, search and content management features. These processes are deployed in projects through rigorous governance mechanisms.

Process Interoperability with Customers

MindTree’s OneShore™ delivery model facilitates a single-team approach by integrating MindTree’s processes with those of our customers, as well as those of their customers. This, in our experience, minimizes the risks of non-interoperability.

Our proprietary process interoperability exercise helps select best of breed processes and tools from among MindTree, customer and allied partners, so as to create an optimal environment for project execution and solution delivery. This contextual approach helps us configure the right set of tools and processes for each individual engagement.

Metrics and Governance Mechanisms

MindTree’s comprehensive metrics and governance mechanisms ensure that quality standards are constantly and consistently maintained.

Governance mechanisms include status reports, team meetings, and reviews at pre-specified  intervals. These mechanisms actively incorporate multiple key metrics (including schedule, effort, cost, defects, SLAs, and more) to assess each project via a project dashboard view.

Together, these metrics and governance mechanisms ensure closed-loop monitoring and tracking of projects and ensuring consistent project success.

Quality/Process Consulting to Customers

MindTree provides consulting services to customers to improve their internal processes and systems.

MindTree has completed several engagements with different customers in the following areas and provides services as below:

• Conducting assessments collaboratively with the customers to identify the strengths, areas of improvement and provide recommendations and roadmap for improvements
• Helping to set up a continuous improvement infrastructure in customer organization in terms of team structure and Governance mechanisms
• Helping in process definitions and tool adoptions
• CMMI implementation and assessments

Many of our customers have adopted MindTree’s Tools and Processes and integrated them into their own initiatives.

Thought Leadership

Our active role in the IT industry has placed us at the forefront of industry think-tanks. We help set industry standards and benchmarks, thereby assuming a leadership role and raising the bar on quality - both for ourselves as well as for the industry as a whole.

Some of our activities include:

Leadership of Bangalore SPIN (Software Process Improvement Network), a virtual  organization of most of Bangalore’s IT companies engaged in sharing of best practices and benchmarking of data and practices. BSPIN is one of the largest and oldest SPINs in the world, with over 1600 member, three chapters, and several Special Interest Groups.

Leading the industry in benchmarking of data and practices since 1999, in collaboration with 25 high maturity software organizations in Bangalore. MindTree’s leadership role in this area is well recognized, by Indian industry as well as and outside institutions like SEI, ISBSG, and NASSCOM.

Active involvement in advisory bodies and organizing committees of forums like NASSCOM Quality Summit, CII Quality Summit, PMI Conference, and Asia Pacific SEPG Conference etc.