Web Development Methodology

Internet Site Development Methodology
Our methodology consists of six major processes to manage an Internet site implementation. Within each of these processes, activities are identified along with specific deliverables and checkpoints. The approach is both iterative and cyclical. During each phase, the definitions and requirements are defined to a further level of detail. This allows us to deliver more accurate estimates as well as the right solution at the right time. Each checkpoint allows us to identify the current stage of design, estimated efforts, and alternatives.

The Methodology Timeline

Tasks and Deliverables by Phase

Tasks by Phase

*Strategic Planning & Analysis*	*Design & Prototype*	*Implementation & Testing*	*Publication & Promotion*	*Knowledge Transfer & Support*	*Extension*
Define Project Vision	Content Creation & Management	Develop Individual Modules	Web Catalogs	Training Plan	Reassess Vision
Assess Current Environment	Graphic Design & User Interface	Module Integration	Search Engines	Development of Training Materials	Return to Stage 1
Develop Procedures & Standards	Application & Database Architecture	System Testing	Traditional Marketing & PR	One-to-One & Classroom Training
Identify & Assign Resources	Site Architecture & Flow	Debugging & Enhancement	Site Maintenance	Support Planning

Deliverables by Stage

*Strategic Planning & Analysis*	*Design & Prototype*	*Implemen-tation & Testing*	*Publication & Promotion*	*Knowledge Transfer & Support*	*Extension*
Detailed Vision Statement	Creation & Management of Information	Individual Site Modules & Components	Web Catalog Listings	Training Plan	New Vision Statement
Current Environment Model	Graphic Design Elements & User Interface	Integrated Site Modules	Search Engine Registration	Training Materials
Procedures & Standards Documents	Detailed Site Architecture & Flow Document	Tested System	Integration with Other Marketing Materials	One-to-One & Classroom Training
Infrastructure & Personnel Identification	Site Prototype		Site Maintenance Plan	Support Plan

Phase 1 : Strategic Planning and Analysis

This process is used to identify and develop the technology strategy as it relates to the business strategy. The result of this process is to identify what is the appropriate Internet strategy within the context of the overall business and technology strategies, identify the Internet-based applications that would be most appropriate given the current business and technology direction, define appropriate procedures and standards, and identify the infrastructure requirements to support the strategy. A phased development approach is then developed and used to drive all additional development processes.

Individuals in our Internet technology practice area have deep reengineering and technology strategy development skills. We believe these individuals bring the appropriate combination of business and technology skills to insure successful implementation and effective utilization of technology to support your project.

Vision

Site Purpose
What is the reason for the site? Why has it been created?

Objective List
What are the goals of the site? What services is the site supposed to provide?

Site Audience
Who will be using the site? What is their technical background? What sort of expectations will they bring with them when they visit the site?

Analysis

Purpose & Objectives
Now that the purposes and objectives are known, how do they affect the design and flow of the web site?

Technical Specifications
What is the technical profile of the target audience? What sort of network and server technology does the site have to accommodate?

Usability
What layout and flow ideas work best for the end users? Are there any previously existing applications whose design and flow the site should reflect?

Procedures and Standards

Enterprise Internet Policy
What are the client's policies regarding the Internet? Will any new policies have to be created for this project?

Design Style Manual
The site should have some conventions and standards regarding its construction, its look and feel, and the presentation of site content. What are these guidelines going to be?

Hardware Standards
What is the minimum configuration necessary to interact with the site? What software and plug-ins will be required?

Network Security
How will this site interact with the outside world? Who can make changes to it? What are the access procedures?

Web Development Environment
What software will be used to create and maintain the site? Will content be created with one set of applications, while another is used to actually turn it all into HTML and scripts?

Resource Allocation

Hardware
What hardware will be allocated to the creation and maintenance of the site?

Software
What software will be used for the creation and maintenance of the site?

Network
What network resources are available for the creation and maintenance of the site?

Personnel
Who will be on the site design team? Who will update it? Are there going to be any committees involved? What is the procedure for submitting changes for the site?

Phase 2 : Design and Prototype

During this process, each application identified in the Strategic Planning & Analysis process is functionally and technically designed using the standards and vision established. This technical and functional design is used to develop applications using production-ready prototyping techniques.

Content Creation and Management

Conduct subject matter expert interviews
What people in the company can provide you with the information you need? What do I need to do to get this information from them?

Research client content materials
What site content will I need to develop myself? What do I need in order to successfully create this content?

Develop detailed content document
Create on paper all that users will be able to see and access on the site. The content document is not interactive of course, but it is complete; including sub-pages, graphics, and external link information (what links go to where outside the site itself).

Graphic Design and User Interface
How has your end-user research affected the design and flow of your site? Are there any previously existing applications used by the end-users that you should reflect in the look and feel of your site design?

Gather existing client materials and graphics
Now that the design and flow is finished, what resources do you need from the client to bring it to life?

Identify new design elements
Has anything changed since you began laying out the site? Should the site flow be changed to accommodate any new information? Have any changes been made to the expressed goals of the completed site?

Prototype the interface and evaluate user performance

This is where the rubber hits the road. What do the end-users like? What don't they like? What nags at them subconsciously that they are not expressing? Watching them use the interface, should anything be changed in acknowledgment of how it is actually begin used compared to how it was planned to be used?

Application/Database Architecture

Weigh various application solutions
What are the needs of the site? Which applications best meet those needs and still communicate with the rest of the enterprise infrastructure?

Test emerging technology solutions
Are there any future technologies that should be included in the development of the site? Are there some technological developments that should be planned for, even if the details are still sketchy right now? Look beyond the established solutions and see what the "new wave" is bringing with it!

Design application/database architecture
Apply the research and knowledge you have gained. How can all the technological parts work together to form a complete architecture?

Site Architecture and Flow

Detailed Site Map and Outline
Completely map out the flow and design of the site. Account for all the screens, all the links, all the animation, all the network connections, and all the hardware connections.

Prototype

Secure client approval of user interface and site structure
Is the site complete enough to test? Does it have all the pieces it needs to produce useful feedback from end-users?

Test application/database architecture
What is working? What is not? Can what is working be applied (even if only in concept) to the parts of the site that the users have problems with?

Demonstrate functionality and capabilities
Have you made your end-user testers aware of all the site has to offer? Are they truly giving you a comprehensive evaluation?

Identify performance issues
Is any section of the site performing to slowly? Too fast? Does something need to get redesigned so that it performs better? Will eliminating part of the site have a positive effect on the rest of it?

Phase 3 : Implementation and Testing

In this phase, individual modules are developed, integrated and tested. We use an iterative development technique to insure satisfaction of user and organizational needs. This rapid approach includes significant interaction with the users and client managers, and helps us deliver the right applications with the right capabilities, the first time.

Develop Individual Design Modules

Script and Storyboard Site Content
What are the goals and needs of the module? How will it flow? What features should it have? What look shall it have?

Generate All Graphic Elements
Create all necessary graphics to make the module visually functional

Develop Online Applications and Database Connectivity
What applications need to be created to make the module functional? What connections need to be made?

Integrate Modules

Testing

System Integration Tests

Usability/Performance
Does the module function the way it is supposed to? Is it fast enough? Does its use make sense? Can the end-users move through it easily?

Browser Consistency & Stability
Does your module function smoothly in the browsers used by the target audience? Do you get any server, Java, or scripting errors?

Link Validity
Do all the links in the site work? Do they take the user to the correct place?

Debugging
There is always something that has fallen through the cracks. What is misspelled? What displays in the wrong sequence? In the wrong place? What content has been left out completely?

Phase 4 : Publication and Promotion

In order to maximize site traffic, the system is registered with all popular Web catalogs and search engines. It is important, also, to integrate the site’s roll-out with current enterprise marketing and public relations campaigns.

Getting users to access a site once is difficult. Getting them to return with regularity requires a site maintenance plan to ensure frequent content changes and information updates. Additionally, in order to judge the site’s effectiveness, traffic analysis is often required. We can assist in establishing an effective maintenance and analysis plan to help you realize a significant return on your investment.

Web Catalogs

Web Search Engines

Traditional Marketing and PR

Maintenance

Refresh content regularly
Is your site getting stale? Do your end-users have a good reason for continuing to visit the site? Are the goals of the site still being met?

Update in conjunction with other marketing efforts
Presenting a united front is important. Is your site reflecting current corporate policies and marketing initiatives?

Track site traffic
Who is using the site? When are they using it? What parts of the site are getting the most use/attention?

Support procedures
What is the chain of command for site support? Who does what and when? What corrections and updates do individual company departments and what things can only the webmaster do?

Phase 5 : Knowledge Transfer and Support

An important tenant of the overall business methodology is that of knowledge transfer. As with any project, we develop detailed documentation, and, if necessary, train managers and end-users.

In addition, a system support plan may be established to define the involvement with site enhancement, maintenance or other future engagements.

Develop Training Plan
What is the target audience for the training? What do they need to know? What don't they need to know? Is the training a one-shot or a continual program?

Develop Training Materials
What is the best way to convey the information the students need? Should there be different versions of the material developed for different segments of the student population?

Training
Who will do the training? Is it better to bring in an outside trainer, or develop someone who already is a client employee?

Develop Support Plan
What follow-up to the training is necessary? If there is going to be follow-up training, does it have a set curriculum? Should the follow-up training be kept flexible until it is determined what parts of the first training didn't "catch"? Is a system of on-line computer-based training the best answer?

Phase 6 : Extension

Internet development is a dynamic, cyclical process as are the applications implemented. In addition to keeping your content fresh, you may want or need to add other enhancements or integrate with new or legacy systems. The Internet Site Development Methodology is structured in such a way to encourage the continual evaluation of your systems in order to help you retain the business advantage you have worked to achieve.

Revision of Vision Statement
Does the vision statement still reflect market and client realities?

Strategic Planning and Analysis (I)
What are the next steps? What is the year plan? What is the five year plan?