Cyrus Innovation

Will my ideas and suggestions really be taken seriously?: Yes. We're all about collaboration. Let's say you read about a great new methodology. Or you have an ability or skill from a previous job or school. The team will discuss your idea seriously. If right for the situation, the suggestion will be implemented. The bottom line is Cyrus delivers better software when everyone contributes to design and direction.
Team development may be good, but can't one member slow down the whole process?: Sure. But we take the time to ensure that every hire we make counts. So we have teams of highly analytical, highly motivated individuals who work together to build some of the best quality software out there. You will be proud of the software you create with Cyrus.
How can you build great software in 40 hours a week?: Our efficient Agile process and sustainable work pace together make this possible. We define the features we can realistically develop in two-week iterations — as opposed to squeezing as much as possible out of people day and night. You do quality work in your 40 hours. Enjoy friends and family on nights and weekends. Then return to work energized. It's sane. And it works.
Why do you only recruit developers when some of your assignments involve Agile coaching?: We believe that great Agile coaches are great Agile developers first. And, in contrast to traditional coaching, we have found that the best way for a client development team to “get” Agile is to build software side-by-side with developers who know Agile inside out. Therefore, our developer-coaches are “doers” as well as coaches.
What exactly is a “developer-coach”?: We believe so strongly that effective Agile coaches are great Agile developers first that we coined the term "developer-coach": an Agile developer who is also a coach; an Agile coach who is also a developer.
How does building great software with the client equate to great coaching?: Cyrus's developer-coaches stay on the job with the client's managers and developers as a "blended team." The client's managers and developers observe and participate as the Cyrus developer-coaches do everything they would do if they were just building software. The result is that the client's developers absorb Agile practices by applying them to their own project, and are then able to apply the principles independently to other projects after the coaching engagement. Want to read more? Go to How We Coach.
What if I'm only interested in programming?: Apply. A significant number of our assignments are purely development.
Can you give me specific examples of how I'll learn at Cyrus?: Plenty, whatever your level. For starters, you learn via pair programming. We have a range of people, junior to senior, who bring different technical and business knowledge to the table. You learn in brown bag sessions, where we take turns teaching each other what we know best. Plus, everybody gets money and time off to go to conferences and workshops.
Quality schmality. Exactly how will I build better quality software at Cyrus than at a traditional developer?: Cyrus Agile programming works. We give clients working features they want right away by prioritizing needs into two-week iterations. We deliver bug-free applications that do what they're supposed to, because at each step we run automated testing defined by user needs. And we respond quickly to changes in requirements because of the two-week development model and frequent meetings with clients. We have convincing case histories – talk to us.
Sounds like Cyrus would be great, but isn't working for a small firm risky?: Yes. But so is working for a large company. When any software development consulting company loses clients, there's a chance they'll have to let people go. The demand for top-shelf Agile teams and coaches is dramatically increasing as Cyrus continues to expand. We give you more responsibility faster than a big company. Plus you get to work side-by-side from the get-go with senior developers.
Would I work in-house or at a client site?: Cyrus's Agile development approach emphasizes teamwork and client collaboration. We do a mix of in-house and client-site work. While we are open to personal preferences and not everyone on a team visits or works at the client site all the time, there is a good chance you would be asked.