White Kite Predictive has an excellent reputation in the specialist field of financial risk modelling. The firm is a software consulting firm with an impressive track record of solving pressing and complex problems, supplying software solutions that save its clients significant time and money. It enjoys multiple repeat orders from its highly satisfied blue-chip clients.

White Kite employs software engineers and business analysts.

Software engineers learn how to excel in their trade at university and in the first few years of their career.

But software engineering in White Kite is a broad subject taking in the commercial world and law on the one hand and complex interpersonal relationships in requirements modelling and customer acceptance on the other.

White Kite recognised that its engineers needed such breadth – as refresher for some and foundation for new members.

As Managing Director Lyle Jackson commented, “We expect a lot from our staff. The environment in which we work is demanding. It’s not enough to be able to design solutions and write code. They must be able to manage both client and project to a satisfactory conclusion.”

TimelessTime worked with White Kite management and staff to determine the training need. Its consultants then developed a 12-module software engineer training programme. Each module lasted just 90 minutes. Success was assured because all trainees did preparatory work beforehand and post-training learning afterwards in their own time. Research suggests that such a sandwich approach maximises training transfer – ensuring the application of what’s learned in the workplace.

As Lyle went on, “The TimelessTime solution was ideal. It covered the subject matter and minimised intrusion into the working day. The fact that everyone had to complete work before and after brought the training to life. Everyone turned up familiar with what was to be achieved in the 90-minute sessions.”

The training spanned all aspects of the management of the software project lifecycle, starting with contracts and ending with implementation and bringing into use.

The White Kite software project management training programme was delivered by TimelessTime over a period of 12 weeks on site in London. Sessions focussed on discussion, dealing with the contention that exists universally in software projects in balancing function, quality, price, timescale and risk.