EDF Energy
Consulting, Drupal website development, platform deployment, and support comprise our services. We designed a solution that enables the use of a single codebase across multiple sites without requiring additional coding. Previously, the main EDFEnergy.com site operated on an outdated platform, which would be transitioned to a new Drupal site. ComputerMinds participated in every phase of the project, from gathering initial requirements to implementation, testing, training, and ongoing support after the build. By employing an agile approach, we significantly accelerated the development process by dividing tasks into three-week sprints that were implemented, tested, and delivered independently.
The Challenge involved the client seeking to transition their existing site from a legacy platform to Drupal. A critical requirement was that multiple sites needed to utilize the same codebase, allowing the client to benefit from shared functionality across different sites. We also needed to implement a sophisticated workflow process for effective content moderation before it became accessible to regular users. Additionally, several backend integrations were necessary for the system to function as the client desired.
Our Solution: ComputerMinds engaged with this project from the beginning, which allowed us to influence its direction effectively and enhance the efficiency of developing the core platform for multiple distinct sites. We collaborated with the client during the initial requirements gathering and assisted them in securing funding for the project. After the consultancy phase, we adopted an agile methodology for the build, followed by training sessions to help users acclimate to the new system. Our goal was to empower content editors to manage their tasks independently with minimal technical training. To achieve this, we designed the site using a "tiles" concept—distinct blocks of content that could be combined to create dynamic pages, granting editors greater flexibility in how content was displayed. This design meant that with a little extra training, content editors could produce compelling content without needing extensive technical skills.
For implementing frontend designs, we utilized modern web development practices, such as SASS, to maintain clean and efficient code while minimizing redundancy.
IBM Datapower Integration was crucial in the first major development phase for creating the EDFEnergy.com site by serving as an abstraction layer for connecting with the client's internal systems.
Robust Testing: We implemented a comprehensive testing strategy, with a dedicated team conducting quality assurance on each sprint before delivery to the client. Our agile approach focused on subsets of deliverables, allowing for a more concentrated development and testing process. Each sprint was independently tested, with any identified bugs redirected to the development cycle for resolution through our internal issue tracking system. This method ensured that we tested manageable pieces of functionality, reducing the chance of overlooking issues, and enabling prompt fixes without significantly affecting timelines or budgets. Alongside thorough manual testing, we continuously performed sanity checks on our code through automated tests, such as unit tests, to prevent any breaks when new code was added.
A Platform Solution: From the outset, we recognized the client's desire for multiple sites on a shared codebase to facilitate the easy exchange of functionality without the heavy development burden traditionally associated with such tasks.
Sophisticated Workflow: To give the client full control over the content published on the live site, we implemented an advanced workflow system allowing editors to create content that remained unposted until moderated. This system enabled users to draft and modify content in private, making revisions invisible to regular users until they were verified. A traffic light system indicated the workflow status of each piece of content at any given moment. Once content moderators were satisfied, they could approve it for publication on the live, user-facing site.
Agile Development: The project adhered to a structured agile development lifecycle, with ComputerMinds involved from the start. This approach allowed us to adapt swiftly to changes. Conducting distinct sprints with daily stand-up meetings kept all project participants informed about progress, clearly defined current tasks, and outlined what would be delivered to the client at the end of each sprint. Testing sprints in isolation made it easier to address any bugs or changes in requirements in later sprints, ensuring continuous progress. Thus, we avoided halting development while awaiting the resolution of previous deliverables.
