Download Developing Effective Websites: A Project Manager`s Guide Roy

Designing and Prototyping
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many things to do, you only have 90 seconds, leaving no time for hemming and
hawing. You must paint a compelling, big picture that hooks their interest.
1. What do you want your site to do for users? Through analysis and planning,
you now have a clear idea of who your users or customers are. You understand what kinds of problems they have and what kinds of solutions
your company might offer. Websites offer a new channel for communication with customers and to deliver products and services, some of
which may not have been possible previously. A single website project
is unlikely to do it all, so you must focus on the specific results you seek.
What do you want your site to do for users? In the answer to that question are the seeds of your functional design documents.
2. How will your site perform that function? Chances are, your website is not
starting on a blank slate. Certain technologies are in place—Web servers,
server software, and Web development tools. You have assembled a
team of people who have competencies with certain tools. It’s likely they
can learn others, but this process takes time. You can go to outside developers for certain functions, but depending on how much you’ve
worked with them in the past, if at all, there are risks involved. Technologically, you always have options as to how a task is accomplished.
Past decisions limit your options and suggest certain directions and
methods. Nonetheless, you have choices. How will your site accomplish
the functionality you’re planning? In your answer are the seeds of your
technical design documentation.
3. How will your site look and feel? Style counts. First impressions mean a lot.
Your creative people set a tone for the site. Graphic designers and copywriters will work in tandem to give your site personality. As the project
manager, you will review other communications from the organization.
You wish to design a site that is appealing to your target audience and
consistent with the marketing message of the organization. You may
wish to use the Web medium to explore a new design direction, but
even so, you will not want to stray far from existing brands and logos.
In your answer are the seeds of your creative design documentation.
DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
Specialists on both the technology and creative end will work simultaneously
on the project. The project manager must coordinate the efforts. In the early planning stages, the project manager has identified strategic objectives for the site
with key stakeholders. In order to answer the basic three questions outlined previously, the project manager has gathered information from others around the