How to check yooour employees' skills? Source: https://www.elinext.com/case-study/web/corporate-skill-assessment-software/

1. A Canadian business consulting company hired Elinext to build employee skill assessment
software.
Challenge
The client was helping businesses check the skills of their employees. To do that, they used
some simple in-house software coupled with several third-party tools.As the company and its
approach evolved, they realized they needed to up their tech game with a fully functional
custom product. They tested several developers for the job and chose Elinext.Our task was to
develop the core module for the system which the client would further develop.In that system,
managers could create examination questionnaires for employees. The answers would be
checked against quality standards as set by managers and reports would be generated
automatically. Those reports would show the management how fit a person or group was for
their role in the organization.
Solution
The client came to us with project documentation describing top-priority requirements and
computational algorithms. After studying those descriptions closely, we realized they were
vague and apparently missed a few crucial details.
Yet the client wanted us to turn their documentation into code as quickly as possible — a sure
sign that the project specifications would change in the process. To address the challenge, we

2. used agile methodology. We worked closely with the client using a visual collaboration
platform, messaging apps and online meetings.
It took us several hours to clarify the initial requirements to the point where we could get
started. After that, we put together the application’s architecture in one day, got the client’s
approval and began programming.
Packaging
We used Java to build the backend web application, deployed it in the client’s environment and
packaged it as a .war file. A popular file format, .war allows the deployment of the application
to any servlet container without changing anything.
Functionality
Further, we split the application’s functionality into groups, which we wrapped up into separate
Java packages. Main functional components were placed at the top, in facets related to
respective domain models, such as event notifications, questionnaires, standards and others.
Container
As for the application container, we chose Apache Tomcat’s server as we liked how it had
performed in our previous projects. But that was not the only reason. Tomcat is widely used,
doesn’t cost much and carries little risk.
Testing
We ensured the quality mainly through manual tests, using the JUnit Java library along with the
Apache Maven build tool.
Result
We have helped the client develop a system that gathers, processes and analyzes answers to
examination questionnaires.Each question corresponds to a specific business-standard
component, which allows companies to assess their employees’ specific competences.
Managers can assign priority to each question, and correct answers to high-priority questions
will contribute more to the final score.
Once an employee or employees have taken the exam, the system analyzes the answers and
generates analytical reports as PDF files. The client is planning to roll out an interactive
interface for viewing those reports in the system before exporting them into PDF.
The backend application we have built has allowed the client to create a product that they have
been pitching to investors and partners. Elinext continues to support and develop the
application.