The Refactory, Inc. provides many different services that covers all different aspects of software design.  We specialize in everything that deals with Object-Orientation, ranging from Analysis and Design, Building Frameworks, Refactoring, Testing, and  eXtreme Programming.  We offer on-site and public Consulting, Mentoring, Training, and Programming.

Analysis and Design

The analysis and design of any system is one of the most integral processes to the implementation of the system.  The Refactory, Inc. principals are some of the most well respected framework developers, object-oriented designers, and pattern writers in the field and each have focused on analysis and design of object-oriented systems for over 10 years.  We specialize in light weight methodologies, specifically those now being recognized as Agile Software Development. Ralph Johnson is one of four authors of the best selling book "Design Patterns" and has been dealing with objects for close to 20 years; Don Roberts is an expert with Analysis and Design, with more than seven years experience; Don Roberts and John Brant are co-authors of the Refactoring tool used by Smalltalk; Joseph Yoder has taught, mentored, consulted, and managed Object-Oriented concepts and projects for over 10 years, including applying Patterns and VisualAge Smalltalk and Java and developing frameworks for Caterpillar and The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH); Brian Foote is the author of over two-dozen published patterns and has been working with frameworks, patterns, and objects for a long time.

Mentoring and Consulting

We found consulting and mentoring to be an incredible opportunity for growth and understanding within the field. Our principal members have both consulted and mentored extensively within the commercial world to bring a consciousness about frameworks, objects, patterns, adaptive systems, and other groundbreaking research to life.  The principals have experience with many companies, including CAT, Ernst & Young, Hewitt Associates, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Insurance, Lucent Technologies, North American Lighting, American Express Financial Advisors, Lifespan Research Institute, Industrial Logic, Communication Security Establishment of Canada, IBM, NCSA, Sprint, Ralston-Purina, The Object People, Siemens, Sun Microsystems, and Abbott Labs (for a complete listing visit our about us page.) We believe that the sharing of information is an essential part of the software development process.  Our principal members share this information with one another, building what is essentially on the other's ideas and vice versa.  This enables us to competitively keep our methods ahead of the field standard. We also strongly believe that the best consultant is the one who is trying to put themselves out of a job.

Programming

The combined experience of the group spans more than sixty years of programming. The principals of Refactory have worked extensively with object-oriented programming including working with Smalltalk, Java, and C++.  We are recognized as experts in the object oriented programming field. We have specialized in the development of frameworks, refactoring, using light-weight programming methodologies, testing, and building adaptable systems.  We have the skills, experience, and ambition to make any project a success.