The objective of the 2009 Fee Change Impact Analysis Project was to bring together DHSMV stakeholders to analyze the sweeping changes made to driver license, vehicle registration, title, service, and miscellaneous DHSMV fees by the 2009 Florida Legislature. These stakeholders consisted of a large, diverse group: members of several different Divisions, Offices, and Bureaus. Among Infinity’s responsibilities was the task of gaining consensus from this group as efficiently and comprehensively as possible, as the fee changes’ impact extended into all parts of the organization. Infinity’s approach was to lead Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions while also conducting off-line analysis and documentation. The stakeholders attended the JAD sessions for the purpose of reviewing each fee change and its impact on DHSMV policies and procedures, communications efforts, and information systems.

The JAD Session goals were to:

• Analyze and document policy and procedural issues related to each existing fee scheduled to change and new fee scheduled for implementation;
• Analyze and document information systems issues related to each existing fee scheduled to change and new fee scheduled for implementation; and
• Analyze and document communications issues related to each existing fee scheduled to change and new fee scheduled for implementation.

The project timeline for the JAD sessions and the development of documentation was short; the number and complexity of information systems involved was significant. Eleven JAD sessions were conducted between May 19, 2009 and June 24, 2009. Most of the fee changes within the project scope of the 2009 Fee Change Impact Analysis Project were scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2009.

In order to meet the fast-approaching deadline, Infinity helped the DHSMV develop a requirements review and approval process called the “Fast Track Requirements Process.” The Fast Track Requirements Process is a Rapid Application Development (RAD) style approach to validation and implementation of the requirements gathered in the JAD Sessions. In this process, requirements developed were organized into logical clusters called “Requirements Groups.” Grouping requirements in this manner facilitated the review and approval of all requirements by DHSMV staff with deep subject area expertise and the authority to approve the requirements for implementation.

The project was completed on-time and on-budget, and the DHSMV met the Legislature’s mandate. Other notable results were:

• Infinity delivered the requirements necessary for the Department’s developers to implement, test, and launch required code changes.
• The Department exceeded the expectations of the Legislature’s specially-appointed oversight committee.
• It was the first time a process like this had been used within the Department, and it was declared a complete success by stakeholders and leadership.

Infinity developed and supports the FCAT Explorer for the Florida Department of Education. Development began in 1999 on this Web-based, database-driven program that provides practice and instructional support for Florida’s students, teachers, and district staff. The FCAT Explorer includes eight practice programs covering the Sunshine State Standards for reading, math and science. Each program has an engaging, interactive theme targeted to specific grade levels, and the content draws from other subject matter in the Standards, such as art, music, history, and health. With 2 million registered users, the site hosts 30,000 student sessions per school day.

Infinity is responsible for all aspects of instructional design, including development of learning objectives, performance measures, and competency-based practice materials, and ongoing evaluation and reporting of learner progress. Infinity’s uses a structured methodology for item development, including participation from subject matter experts, quality assurance review, testing and measurements review (for accuracy, bias, etc.), and review by the appropriate grade-level educators. The resulting practice activities provide valid, comprehensive alignment to the Standards, plus item-specific instructional feedback that supports classroom instruction. To date, Infinity’s team has developed more than 2,700 practice activities for the FCAT Explorer.

Additionally, Infinity is responsible for all technical design, programming, quality assurance testing, deployment and support of the FCAT Explorer software. Other services teacher support and training, a help desk, and promotional activities.

The scope of the project was expanded to include another Web site, FOCUS. FOCUS supports Florida's public schools in implementing Florida's Continuous Improvement Model (FCIM), an instructional methodology that improves classroom instruction, increases the frequency of assessments, and raises student achievement. FOCUS enables educators to plan instructional events, schedule and administer reading and math assessments, review student and class progress reports, coordinate among teaching teams, locate instructional support materials, and much more.

The FCAT Explorer has received outstanding reviews from teachers, students, parents, and school district administrators, and it is a key instructional asset to Florida’s schools.

Another key is the breadth of services Infinity is able to provide. Being able to source project management, s oftware development, process analysis, graphic design, and data center support services from a single partner simplifies our business, and provides important continuity as disciplines interconnect.

Infinity has helped the FSLSO lead the nation in the application of technology in providing quality service to its customers.

I would not hesitate to recommend Infinity to any prospective client."

Gary Pullen
Executive Director

I personally have worked on many information Technology projects for our Agency over the past 11 years, and based on that experience I can say that this particular project  was exceptionally well managed by both staffs and it has resulted in a far superior product than we have ever been associated with.

Y.T.“Nat” Toulon IV
Bureau Chief
Bureau of Collateral Management
Division of Treasury

It is no surprise that your organization keeps growing with individuals like this working with your fine company. Thank you again and I look forward to working with Drew Harris and his team for many years to come.

Best Regards,
John

John M. Esposito, CIC
Executive Vice President
Brown and Brown of Florida, Inc.
Tallahassee