Project Definition - Critical Groundwork

Many people think they can utter the magic words, “Make me a web site” and the webmaster just makes it appear. If it were only that simple. To create a site that is informative and usable, it must be planned completely and well thought out. Not only does this result in an improved site, but proper planning makes for a less expensive project over time.

This process begins by asking questions and setting the stage for the steps to follow. This is a crucial phase as most of what happens here will impact every step.

Discovery

Some of the Discovery phase actually takes place before a web design company is even contacted.

Gathering Information

Before too much planning occurs, you will want to gather information that will be included on the site. Much of this will be trimmed back later, but for now, collect anything that could be included into your site.

Understanding Your Audience

Get to know who will be visiting your site, what they will want to accomplish on your site, and general demographic information. Chances are, you already have an excellent grasp on this as this is part of any professional business plan. Keep in mind that web audiences can differ greatly from brick and mortar audiences.

Backend Web Site Needs

Even if you don't understand the technology, start defining what you need the web site to accomplish. The webmaster can help and translate this into tech talk. For example, if you are collecting people's names and addresses, you may consider a database to store the information. If many people will be making contributions to the web site and that content changes frequently, then you'll need a more robust database driven site (like this one).

Planning

Now that we have some of the content decided and know what types of technology is needed, we can start budgeting or pricing the site. Once a budget range is set, and needs adjusted according to what's in the checkbook, a schedule of tasks can be established. Team members are assigned including graphic artist, coding expert, content development, etc.

We also decide on a staging area, or an area where the current work can be reviewed. This gives you the opportunity to request changes and review the groundwork before it is fully implemented. Plans also begin for testing the site and the project plan begins.

Clarification and Kick Off!

At this point we finalize the overall goals of the site and prepare a written document of what the finished site will include. This sets expectations and the base for tasks for all parties involve. Although this is not a detailed document, it does clarify that everyone understands the basics of what is expected.

Now we start to kick off the web site project and get our coding hands dirty.

Click here for our next stage...Design.

	Stage 1: Planning
	Stage 2: Design
	Stage 3: Production
	Stage 4: Testing
	Stage 5: Hand Off

Defining the Web Site Project

Scope Creep

This is one of the greatest ways to totally destroy a web site creation project. Scope creep is adding little extras to the project. By adding extras, it delays steps and creates more work for all parties involved. It is very important as this stage to correctly identify all goals and needs. It is important that it is clearly understood what is needed and that expectations are clearly written.

If scope creep pops up it's ugly head, we utter the famous mantra "Extras cost extras". Extras also delay projects. Picturesque will help you identify which items really can wait for later after the success of the site has been gauged and which items really are critical to the immediate site planning.