Departments
The Pacific Metrics team consists of experienced professionals, many of whom have a background in educational assessment and instruction with experience in item development and test construction, software and Web system development, and design of online systems for large-scale assessment delivery. The company is made up of six departments—Research, Program Management, Publishing, Quality Assurance, Technology, and Business Development. More information about each department is included below.
Program Management
The Program Management team brings a wealth of experienced program managers who oversee our assessment programs, ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently and reflect the best interests of the clients. Pacific Metrics closely follows best practices for Program Management as defined by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). We believe that to implement a program effectively—whether a traditional assessment program, or a technology-focused program—it is essential to create a partnership with the client. At the core of this partnership is an agreed-on work plan that provides a clearly defined scope of work and related requirements. The work plan includes key milestones, timelines, and accountability. Included with these milestones are any perceived risks and defined mitigations, as well as a defined communications plan.
Technology
Technology has been involved in product development for several large-scale assessment systems that currently administer tests to over two million students each school year. The technology team employs staff knowledgeable in the areas of software development in several different programming languages, database development, and data management. The team focuses on the effective use of innovative technologies and software development processes to meet its goals. The Technology department is responsible for several areas of technology development including construction of assessment solutions, development of innovative technologies to support online assessment, enhancement of performance, reliability, availability, and accessibility for online assessment solutions, management of the company’s corporate and production technology infrastructure, and upper-tier support of products in production use.
Quality Assurance
The Quality Assurance (QA) department is responsible for ensuring all assessment systems developed by Pacific Metrics work according to the requirements. During testing, QA communicates the status of testing using real-time defect metrics, weekly status reports by feature set, and daily meetings with the project team. The quality assurance process is enforced through the use of tools that contribute to consistent, repeatable software releases. Software configuration management tools, a defect and issue management system, and a test case repository ensure that our products are built reliably and tested thoroughly. The software repository and defect and issue management systems are linked to our communications systems to ensure that development information and software check-in status are always available to the QA team and project managers.
Business Development
The Business Development department consists of business analysts, account managers, and marketing associates who work to find new business opportunities for Pacific Metrics. The team researches industry needs and cultivates and implements strategies for the development of new products and solutions. Focusing on implementation of the strategic business plan, they also establish and maintain strategic partnerships with other industry businesses. This department is also responsible for developing innovative marketing campaigns and maintaining company materials including the website and brochures. The Business Development department works closely with all other departments to respond to state proposals, develop new products, and market existing solutions.
Research
The Research Department consists of experienced research scientists and psychometricians who are nationally recognized in their field. This department is responsible for many projects including customized software development, statistical services, validity and reliability studies, standard setting, and test design. This department regularly publishes its research and presents its findings at national conferences and industry events throughout the country.
Publishing
The Publishing Department is comprised of experts in the field of assessment who develop precise and engaging assessment content. There are four departments within Publishing: Content Specialists, Graphic Designers, Editing Services, and Operational Support.
Our content specialists are experts in curriculum analysis, blueprint and test design, stimulus development, and item development across all major content areas. They are well-versed in developing content or online test delivery, including innovative item types and content for accommodated populations. This department also creates and reviews assessment materials, manages trainings, and conducts content, bias, and data reviews.
Our editing services team maintains the highest standards of publishing practice, and can implement both in-house and customer preferred manuals of style. This department reviews materials for adherence to style specifications and errors in grammar, spelling, and language usage. The editors at Pacific Metrics also thoroughly understand assessment content, providing an additional level of verification for factual accuracy and correct calculations in the content.
Our Graphic Design Specialists develop all graphics (illustrations and animations) for large-scale, Web-ready educational materials. They are expert in the Adobe Creative Suite, including Flash animation. Our graphics specialists create beautiful and engaging hand-drawn and computer-generated illustrations, as well as provide comprehensive desktop publishing services to support the production of all ancillary material and company collateral.
The Operational Support team provides leadership in multiple areas of publishing including the creation of user manuals and guides, accommodated test forms (e.g., Braille, audio recordings, and scripts for the hearing impaired), and customer-training workshops. The team also offers Spanish language services and supports the company’s Client Services initiative.
