Web development offers new challenges to traditional
software environments, and to traditional corporate structures. Suddenly
very different groups of people must collaborate on projects. They must
find ways to communicate—and they often come from very different worlds.
Graphic designers, programmers, and marketing folks must sit together, as
equals, at the project table.
Web site project management
Developing a web anything but a small web site is a complex task,
requiring the skills of a diverse team. Creative people often have
divergent opinions on site development issues. Developing collaborative
teams out of highly-skilled creative people is a specialty of ours.
Strong management with the ability to manage scope, budget, and
milestones is a requirement for a successful project.
We have developed processes and methodologies to facilitate a successful outcome. An example is a site-wide style guide covering writing, graphic design, and navigation. It helps keep the team together.
Graphic designers
These creative minds and a key ingredient in your site's
success--they design and create the look and feel, the tone, of the
entire site. They create images for individual pages, plan colors,
develop a common graphical theme. They are involved in designing site
navigation. However, they may not know very much about usability, the
technical side of creating a site, or writing for the Web.
Usability engineers
These professionals focus on how the site will be used. They look for problems in navigation, in finding the content and understanding it, and in finding the site itself. They assess a user's ability to complete a task on the site. They work closely with the graphic designers on site and page design, focusing however, not on the look and feel, but on usability.
Information designers
These folks know how to organize and present information so that it
is easy to find, easy to read, and easy to retain. This skill is likely
to be found in the body of a seasoned Web content developer (writer) or
in the usability engineer.
Content writers and editors
Content may be written by people on your staff, or by our writers. If
it is written by multiple people, it is important that it be edited by
one person. It is also important to develop a style guide for everyone
to follow.
Marketing and PR professionals
Most corporations establish sites to advertise themselves, their
products, and their services. It is important to include the perspective
of the marketing professionals in crafting the look and the words on
your site, but often they need help modifying their approach to fit a
Web audience.
HTML and Javascript developers
This skill is one of executing what others design. The ability to
write HTML is not the same as the ability to creatively design a usable
site. Many writers can code the HTML and JS, as can most programmers.
Look beyond this skill when building your Web team.
"Techies"
ASP, ColdFusion, SQL, Active X, Java, VB, and a host of other
initials are needed for a complex site. Any site with frequently
changing information needs to seriously examine database publishing and
information management technologies. These skills are seldom found in
graphic design or PR firms--but you can't let MIS departments control
your site either.
Testers
Your site must be thoroughly tested for many potential problems:
to make sure all the features work and there are no broken links,
performance on all targeted browsers and platforms, ensure all users can
achieve their goals on the site (this includes international users and
disabled users)
Network engineers
Without our network buddies, we don't have an Internet, or any kind
of network! Server design and installation, hosting issues, and security
are just a few of the issues they deal with. Do you need email that is
part of your corporate email system? Do you need workflow
solutions? All of these and more involve network engineers.
Localization
Last in this list, but important to remember, is that when you are on the Internet you are reaching a world-wide audience. English and American culture may not be part of the lives of your entire audience. Translation and localization of your site becomes more and more important as your company grows and international barriers begin to dissolve.
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