Step by Step: Your Cornerstone Customization Journey with Octily Susan Smit March 21, 2025

Step by Step: Your Cornerstone Customization Journey with Octily

Realizing What You Thought Was Impossible

Partnering with Octily means more than just getting a service. It’s about collaboration, creativity, and delivering results that matter. From the first hello to post-launch support, every step is designed to bring your vision to life with ease and expertise.

Ever wondered what it’s like to partner with Octily for a customization project? Along the way, you’ll meet some incredible people who’ll help guide you through each phase. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we bring your ideas to life, step by step.

1. Initiation Phase

It all starts with a chat

You’ll likely meet Rob, who takes the time to understand not just what you need, but why you need it. After we outline the rough scope of your project and determine feasibility, we’ll provide a detailed proposal for your software customization. Once both you and Octily have reviewed and signed the proposal, we can move forward with confidence.

This phase is where we build trust, set clear expectations, and get excited about what’s ahead.

2. Discovery Phase

Time to dive deeper

Once the ink has dried, we already have a solid idea of what you’re looking for, but now it’s time to assemble the project team and get together to make sure everything’s crystal clear. Simen or Susan, our project managers, help everyone get on the same page, while our designers, start turning ideas into a plan we’re all excited about.

We collect all available inputs, ensuring we have access to everything needed for a smooth process. From gathering relevant documentation to making sure technical requirements are in place, this is where we set the foundation for a seamless build.

With a bit of teamwork and creativity, we’ll head into the Design Phase knowing we’ve got it right.

This phase is where we align goals, refine plans, and prepare for the next steps with full confidence.

3. Design Phase

Here’s where creativity takes the lead

Anna or Peter, our designers, take the concepts and transform them into visual prototypes that resonate with your vision. During this phase, we refine colors, layouts, and overall aesthetics. Your feedback is key, and our designers work closely with you to ensure the design aligns perfectly with your brand identity and goals. Mockups are reviewed, revisions are made, and every detail is polished until we have a design that’s not just functional, but truly engaging.

…and nothing beats the moment when we all look at the final design and think: ‘Yes, this is going to be awesome!’

This phase is where ideas take shape, revisions bring refinement, and your vision becomes a reality.

4. Configuration Phase

Set things right

This is where you ensure the portal configuration is fully set before we move into implementation. Having the portal configured to meet your needs helps smooth the transition into the next phase and ensures that all upcoming integrations are efficient and effective. By confirming all settings and making any necessary adjustments now, we set the stage for a seamless build-out.

This phase is where your groundwork ensures a solid foundation for the implementation.

5. Implementation Phase

This is where the magic happens

Our brilliant dev team, lead by Daniel, our CTO, steps in to transform the approved designs into reality. They meticulously build and configure every component, ensuring it not only looks perfect but also integrates seamlessly with your platform. As we progress, initial tests confirm that everything functions as it should, allowing us to address any necessary adjustments early. By the end of this phase, we have a fully functional foundation in place, ready for final integration and testing.

This phase is where we turn concepts into working solutions, laying the groundwork for a successful launch.

6. UAT Phase

Your turn to take the wheel

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is where you and your team get to explore the setup in detail, ensuring that everything meets your needs. During this phase, we’ll review feedback, refine the configuration as needed, and make final adjustments to confirm that the system is fully aligned with your expectations. It’s all about fine-tuning and confirming the platform is ready to go live.

This phase is where we validate the system’s performance, solidify confidence, and ensure a smooth path to the live environment.

7. Go-Live Phase

Launch day is a milestone we celebrate together.

Our team works closely with you to ensure a smooth transition from the stage environment to production. We’ll provide guidance and make any final adjustments needed so that your users have a seamless experience. It’s not just about going live – it’s about going live confidently, knowing that everything is in place and performing as it should.

This phase is where all the planning and hard work pay off, marking the start of a new chapter for your Cornerstone platform.

8. Subsequent Services

Our partnership doesn’t end at launch.

Simen or Susan will continue to be your point of contact, helping with updates, enhancements, and new features. But we don’t just stop at maintenance… We believe in continuous improvement. By helping you interpret employee feedback, track evolving trends, and align with your company’s vision and strategy, we can help you adapt, refine, and enhance features over time, ensuring your Cornerstone experience evolves alongside your organization’s needs.

This phase is where we maintain the momentum, ensure lasting success, and help you adapt to future opportunities.

Ready to start your customization journey with Octily? Let’s make it happen together.

Ready to Transform Your Cornerstone Experience?
Want to make the most of your customization? Let’s build something extraordinary together.

Reach out to us via Get in touch, send an email, or book a meeting.

FAQs

Customizing your Cornerstone platform can feel complex at first, but we’re here to simplify it. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions our clients have, so you know exactly what to expect.

Timelines vary depending on the scope, but most projects take between 8-12 weeks from initiation to go-live.

Not at all. Our team guides you through each step, making the process smooth and stress-free.

We specialize in Cornerstone platforms, including CSX, EdCast, and Saba Cloud.

Yes, we provide ongoing support for updates, enhancements, and any new ideas you want to implement.

We handle the heavy lifting, but we’ll need your input during key phases like discovery, design feedback, and user acceptance testing.

No problem. Our team is ready to help you add features or make changes as your needs evolve.

No worries. Our team loves a challenge and thrives on finding creative solutions. If you’re unsure whether something is possible, let’s talk. Don’t hesitate to plan a call with us to explore the possibilities.

Beyond customization, Octily Creative helps you maximize engagement with launch videos, internal storytelling, and communications that ensure your great build is seen by many.

Our blend of technical expertise and creative design ensures your platform is not just functional but also visually engaging and user-friendly. But we go beyond the build. Octily Creative can help you think further. From launch videos and communications to internal storytelling that drives engagement, we make sure your great build is seen by many.

Want to Know How Customization Can Help You?

Customization with Octily is more than just a service, it’s a collaboration that brings your vision to life. For a deeper dive into how customization can benefit your organization, check out our related article: How to Make a Business Case for Customization – The Quick & Easy Math Behind It.

Ready to Transform Your Cornerstone Experience?

Ready to transform your Cornerstone OnDemand platform with customizations that deliver real value? We’re happy to help you doing the math.

Reach out to us via Get in touch, send an email, or book a meeting.

Let’s make the impossible, possible! We look forward to work together to create a Cornerstone OnDemand experience that truly engages and empowers your workforce!