1. Name a few examples of “overall goals” for the web site design or re-design.
- To increase traffic
- To increase sales
- To highlight a new product
- To make a dynamic, content-driven site
- To streamline browsing and purchasing
2. What does a Project Plan consist of?
- Project overview
- Schedule (including deliverables and methodology
- Budget breakdown with allocated hours
- Communication Brief
3. Give examples of good documentation practices for a project.
- If the client signs a piece of documentation, save it.
- Get a signature via fax whenever possible.
- Create a project folder/binder to house all signed documentation (e.g., contracts, briefs, initial proposal, sitemaps, revisions)
- Print all emails relating to budget, scope, signoff, requests for change, etc.
- Save everything electronicaly.
4. When is an additional charge form used? (oftentimes referred to as Change Order)
This is used when the project increases in scope and the approved budget requires an amendment. Essentially, this form documents additional charges to the client. It can also be used as a way to simply document additions that were not included in the original Project Plan.
5. What are the two ways to approach the Scheduling task?
Create an overview schedule that shows methodology chronologically.
Build a detailed date-by-date format that itemizes deliverables and approval reviews according to due dates.
6. What is the difference between a Visual Designer and an Information Designer?
A Visual Designer is responsible for the visual aesthetics of the site. He or she focuses on the graphics and leads the others in the web development group in the creative vision of the site.
The Information Designer, on the other hand, focuses on the design, structure, and usability of the site. They develop the sitemap and focus on the content navigation. This has nothing to do with the visual design itself. Site navigation, functionality, and user interaction are focused on primarily.
7. What is a “staging area?”
The staging area is a hub for communication. There are two sections: the client staging site and the team development area. The client staging site is an HTML staging area to post deliverables and project documentation.
The team development area serves as a place for the internal team to view works-in-progress. It is not meant for client viewing. This is very useful when team members are working remotely and need FTP access.
8. What is included in the agenda of a “kick off” meeting?
- Introduce the Project Plan
- Go over the overall site goals. Distribute the Communication Brief and go over it.
- Discuss the schedule and timing using a project calendar.
- Discuss who will provide content and come up with a schedule for delivering said content.
- Talk about the next steps and what is expected for the next meeting. Who will be in contact with whom, etc.
- Come up with a schedule for regular meetings that will work for the whole team.
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