Process

A web project will typically involve a number of steps, which occur in a sequential but overlapping order. The roles and responsibilities roughly correspond to this sequence.

Step 1: Discovery

First, the IA, UX designer and/or PM will meet with the client to assess the client’s goals and objectives.

Step 2: Planning

Working closely with the client, the IA and UX designer will develop a set of requirements documentation, site map, content outlines, wireframes and flowcharts describing how the site will function. This both assures the client that the goals and objectives are on target and provides a roadmap for the design and development process.

Step 3: Design

The web designer will take the design documentation and assets (logos and other graphics, fonts and color palettes) and develop a set of web page designs that will then be turned into web page templates in HTML and CSS.

Step 4: Development

The web developer takes the functional requirements, wireframes and (if available) web page designs/templates, and builds all necessary web application functionality.

Step 5: Content

The content specialist gathers all website content, prepares it (including HTML formatting, if necessary), and loads it into the CMS or individual web pages, as appropriate.

Step 6: Testing

The QA tester develops a set of test cases and coordinates one or more rounds of testing, giving feedback to the developer for troubleshooting and revisions.

Step 7: Launch

The server admin, working with the web developer and QA tester, prepares the website files, database, and server configuration to make the site available online.

Step 8: Follow-up

The project manager will gather feedback from the client and testing processes post-launch and review the status of the project. This will form the basis of plans for ongoing site maintenance by the web content specialist and for “phase two” planning for future site enhancements with the rest of the team.