Originally launched in 2004, Workforce One (WF1) is a web-based case management application used to track employment and training services provided to more than 100,000 Minnesotans. MNIT @ DEED worked on a project with our partners at the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) the Department of Human Services (DHS) to improve the system, which is used by staff who provide job search and training services to eligible Minnesotans. MNIT @ DEED has updated the programming language behind Workforce One to make the software more efficient and improve usability.

Working with stakeholders and users to improve the application, MNIT @ DEED ensured long-term support from the vendor, Microsoft, by re-writing the web application with updated technology. Developers focused on usability improvements, including streamlining data entry to improve efficiency, restructuring security to maintain data integrity and improving accessibility features for screen readers and dictation software.

The Workforce One Team engaged stakeholders throughout the redesign process using Scrum methodology, a form of agile project management. Scrum methodology consistently engages users and stakeholders throughout the life of the project, responding to their requests and to changing laws and policies by making modifications to the application before it goes live. This ensures continuous improvement in the quality of the ultimate deliverable. Stakeholder satisfaction has been measured throughout the project. Both users and stakeholders report increased satisfaction with project because they feel the development team is responsive to their needs.

The rewrite of Workforce One is the first time MNIT at DEED has used agile methodology to manage a project to build an application. The Workforce One team credits the methodology for helping them complete the project on time and under budget. With improved stakeholder and customer satisfaction, MNIT @ DEED plans to use agile methodology to manage future IT projects.