Cardiff is one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech cities, with IT vacancies rising 81% from 2020 to 2022. With this dramatic increase in demand, the client struggled to attract and retain skilled personnel. FDM’s consultancy model provided the perfect solution: leveraging our UK-wide pool of ex-forces consultants accessed through partnerships with numerous organisations including the Ministry of Defence and reaching graduates through multiple, long-established university relationships.

The client’s data synchronisation mechanism was built on Perl, an early technology that required modernisation to meet certain service demands. The architectural pattern was also no longer fit for purpose.

As Perl is now less common and finding skilled developers is difficult, the client decided to switch to Java for better performance and efficiency. The Data Sync project required experts in both Perl and Java.

FDM’s Account Managers worked closely with the client to assess the roles, skills, and experience required to make the transformation and deliver strategic digital projects.

Originally foreseen as a long-term project, the project’s completion was aimed to coincide with a major database upgrade in October 2024. Through comprehensive analysis of the business and technical requirements, FDM developed a detailed roadmap to stay on track for the deadline.

A blended approach across FDM’s talent programmes of ex-forces and graduate consultants allowed quick assembly of Agile Pods; cross functional teams with the right balance of experience and cultural fit to deliver technical projects and mirror the client’s own internal environment.

Prior to assignment, each Pod spent four weeks working together on projects to develop collaborative skills and establish core team principles.

Each FDM Pod consisted of:

• 1 x Scrum Master
• 5 x Developers, comprising 1 x Lead, 2 x Seniors, 2 x Juniors
• 2 x Automation Testers
• 1 x Business Analyst
• 1 x Product Manager

Consultants selected underwent bespoke coaching in Agile methodology and niche technologies utilised on client site. They needed to understand Perl well enough to rewrite the functionality into Java while also improving the quality, security, and performance of the code.

Technologies used across the Pods include:

Java, Perl, HTML, Docker, JSON, NoSQL, MongoDB, Concourse, Springboot, Git, AWS, HATEOAS, JavaScript, JSON-LD, OpenAPI, CSS, JUnit, Discourse, Maven, XML, Mesos/Marathon, SQL, Cucumber, Selenium, Linux/Command Line, Rest API

Performance boosted 1000%

FDM has taken full ownership of the Data Sync delivery, a key strategic project for the client.

With FDM’s contribution, the new Data Sync model is more reliable, easier to maintain, secure, and ensures standardised data quality. Pre-production transactions are now 10 times faster, with similar performance anticipated in the live environment.

FDM’s Pods’ output is measured monthly via sprint reports and velocity charts, with teams consistently meeting and exceeding targets. Our engineers have also written over 1300 automated tests, replacing manual Perl transactions, improving cost-effectiveness, speed, and efficiency.

Quality levels ensured

To ensure effective and efficient delivery, FDM implemented a Service Delivery Manager to carry out quality checks, oversee deliverables, and conduct regular reviews with client stakeholders and FDM Consultants. Weekly Product Discovery sessions are held to ensure collaboration between our Lead Developers, Testers, Business Analysts and Technical Architects.

The FDM Scrum Teams’ achievements include:

• Improvements to the client’s Information Processing System.
• Delivery of new Incorporation Service allowing decommission of legacy services.
• Development of website functionality e.g. incorporation validation, protection of sensitive details, and legislative changes.

A growing relationship

Since delivery of the original two Agile teams in 2017, FDM Consultants’ performance and knowledge of clients’ tech stack led to engagement of two further teams focused on Scrum Development, making up 25% of the organisation’s digital capability.  In response to varying client demand, team numbers reduced in 2021 and grew again in 2022, demonstrating FDM’s flexibility.

Over the years, FDM’s Scrum Masters have been active in developing the client’s Agile communities, extending to associated organisations.

The on-site environment has been a talent incubator with consultants staying for several years and advancing to senior levels. In 2023, four FDM Consultants transitioned to permanent Lead Developer roles.

FDM provides a comprehensive programme of mentoring, support, and wellbeing initiatives for our consultants on client site, ensuring happy and successful placements for both the client and the FDM team.