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Steps of a (re)design
 
 

Sample Materials
 
 

References

 
    

Estimating time and defining team members

 
Your first step in estimating should be to familiarize yourself with the
  • content
  • project goals and
  • special needs (i.e. backend programming, graphic design, plug-in features, streaming media, database interface, payment system, etc.)
  • visual design goals
  • maintenance issues (how many people will be responsible for updates? Where will the content come from? This can mean the difference between templates, a content management system and dynamic pages.) The way you design your site will depend to a large degree on how you plan your maintenance right now.

Team

Listed below are 10 different team members. You may have one person creating and producing the entire site or you may have 30 content providers, no programmer, 1 editor and 1 designer. More than a breakdown of individuals, this list serves as a breakdown of job responsibilities.

Potential Team Members
  • project manager - maintains content listing, keeps track of deadlines, oversees production, resolves issues as they arise to keep project on schedule. gaurds against "project creep" with the magic phrase "Phase 2."
  • content providers - responsible for researching and writing text for site
  • writer/editor - determines consistent voice for site and applies to all text from content providers. works w/ art on overall impression. Converts print copy to web-friendly writing. Supplies meta-tags, text for alt tags, links.
  • art director - creates look & feel (templates, css & style guides), locates art, directs photo shoots, proofs production work for design consistency, works with programmer on interface for backend functionality.
  • programmers - provides functionality for web apps, forms and dynamic content
  • user testing admin - administers click through and naming conventions tests 1-after sitemap is developed, and 2-before site goes to production
  • production staff - plugs content into templates
  • proofing - reviews post-production work for typos & consistency, and checks titles, meta-tags, alt tags, and links etc.
  • site maintenance - who and how site will be updated on an ongoing basis
  • server admin - ensures server runs continually and is secure. Provides access for production team and/or programmers, moves files from staging to public sites.
  • boss/client/stakeholder(s) - the person or committee who approves the project.

focus group research can be conducted by a team of project manager, writer and art director.

 

What takes how long?

Have each team member estimate the amount of time needed for their tasks (listed below).

  

 

Project Timeline
goals + analysis team + timeline content review + editing site structure design development production + proofing launch+ maintain

develop user profile (focus group + survey research)

research competitors

set marketing goals

set html guidelines

identify/confirm team members

create project timeline
(overview)

review content.

delete or reorganize unvisited content and determine new content.

Content creation begins

create sitemap and navigation.

usertest for naming and navigation flow by setting and timing tasks for 3-5 users.

set filenaming conventions, set up site folders

content planner (detail view)

create templates css, and style guides based upon information gathered in analysis phase.

wrototype files tested for cross-browser + cross-platform compatablity and ADA requirements

usertest and adjust before going to production

plug edited and approved content into templates, apply styles.

now is also a good time to inform folks that your urls will be changing.

publicizing your new site should coincide with launch

feedback goes to designee who makes improvements and edits

quarterly content reviews

phase 2 development begins
Approval Approval   Approval Approval approval  
design research + development  
  backend research + development
content research content writing, editing, and approval  

 

 

Start your Project Timeline

 

Next Step: Content Review and Development
 
 
 
Have some materials you'd like to share? email mplante@uiuc.edu