Embracing inclusion, driving innovation
A leading regulatory agency recognized the need to modernize technological infrastructure to enhance and embrace the latest tools. Their goal was to enhance their software testing and development capabilities while also fostering an inclusive workforce. Leadership in the agency connected with CAI to develop an innovative partnership through CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, and to tap into the power of neurodiversity within the information technology (IT) industry.
Early success with a neurodiversity employment program
In July 2022, the regulatory agency began working with CAI to bring a neurodiverse team into their workforce. This group included a team lead, a software developer, and 2 quality assurance (QA) analysts. The CAI Neurodiverse Solutions associates were integrated into 2 agile teams to support the database migration of internal applications. They achieved astounding results. The team not only cleared 80% of the extensive ticket backlog in the first 3 months, but they also implemented process improvements that led to a 50% increase in successful test execution and enhanced the quality of metric reporting.
Expanding the partnership with CAI Neurodiverse Solutions
Wanting to continue the working engagement, the regulatory agency extended its partnership with CAI Neurodiverse Solutions for a second year. The team of neurodivergent individuals doubled in size with the addition of 2 software developers and 4 QA testers. This expansion wasn't just in numbers, but also in scope. The collaboration within the agency expanded to 6 internal teams, demonstrating the flexibility and adaptability of the neurodivergent team members.
The CAI Neurodiverse Solutions associates were working in roles to support a variety of database migration projects, like the conversion and enhancement of internal and external applications and websites, as well as report conversions. The use of agile development and QA processes across their teams allowed for a fluid transfer of neurodivergent team members between project teams as business priorities changed. This flexibility and agility exemplify a successful scale-up of the partnership.
“We've experienced tremendous success with your teams. All the members of your teams; the developers, QA testers, and team leads have done an excellent job. Your program is very easy to work with and the teams are very productive. Thanks for all your help!"
The power of leadership and mentorship
A fundamental aspect of this successful engagement was the CAI team lead. This collaborative role helps integrate neurodivergent team members into the work environment and contributes heavily to the overall success of the engagement. The CAI team leads possess extensive technical and business expertise, which allows them to serve as mentors, guides, and trusted partners.
During this engagement, the CAI team lead identified areas for improvement that resulted in greater operational efficiency. This included utilizing test templates to reduce overhead in test script writing, using tags for improved quality reporting, and writing SQL queries to identify and create test data. This allowed the team members to decrease manual activity and streamline their workflows. The CAI team lead’s person-first approach ensures that each team members’ strengths are aligned with the business needs, boosting productivity, and improving communication. Regular check-ins, mentorship, and bi-directional feedback sessions with managers within the regulatory agency became standard. This consistency and transparency helped to foster a culture of continuous improvement and inclusion.
A symphony of collaboration
The CAI Neurodiverse Solutions program successfully integrated neurodiverse talent into the regulatory agency’s workforce, going beyond the need to hire for skilled labor and paving the way for innovation and efficiency. The success of this engagement can be attributed to CAI’s talented neurodivergent team members, the CAI team lead, and the welcoming client environment. The regulatory agency’s guidance and mentorship helped the CAI team onboard more easily, and the neurodivergent employees adapted and shifted seamlessly between projects and teams. This is a testament to our mutual commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.
Learn more about CAI Neurodiverse Solutions and our track record of bringing cultural transformation and IT innovation to organizations.
