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Workflow List
Phase1 Pre Production/Discovery
- Client Meeting- Initial exploratory meeting is set up with the client. The DesignTeam meets with the client to talk about a possible collaboration on a project. It's helpful if the client gets and fills out the questionnaire prior to the meeting. The client should also be directed to the client area of the website so that they can familiarize themselves with our processes. Meeting note taking document.
- Client Folder- Once we have an agreement to work with a client the DesignTeam will set up a client folder and place it in the file cabinet. A cover sheet should be filled out right away. A web hosting info sheet should be placed in the folder and filled out as soon as that information is available. Originals and copies of all other documents need to go into the folder.
- Contract/Questionnaire/ Planning Guide- A contract should be provided at the first meeting. If both parties agree to work together on a design project then a contract should be signed. A copy of the contract should be sent home with the client. If the client did not get a copy of the questionnaire prior to the first meeting they should be given one at this time. A more thorough planning guide will be given to the client once the contract is signed. This document is called the planning guide.
- Creative Brief The creative brief is a concise description of the project. It includes project goals, marketing strategies, description of deliverables, basically describing the who, what, when, why and where of the project. The DesignTeam works collaboratively with the client to produce this document. Phase 2 cannot start without finalizing this document and getting a sign off by the client.
- Comparative Analysis- The comparative analysis is part of the creative brief it is a document examining competitor's websites. As part of the research on building a website for a client the DesignTeam spends some time examining other websites for design, content, and function/features.
- Design- What does the competitor site look like? What is the color scheme? Does it use buttons or text navigation? Are the links across the top or on the left side? Does it use pull down menus? Does the site feature lots of pictures and graphics? Are there animations? Is the company logo prominently featured? Usually a screen shot of the home page with some design description is included in this portion of the document.
- Content- What is the content of the site? What is the content of the home page? If it is a small site give a page by page breakdown describing what is on each page.
- function/features- What does the site do? Can you buy things? Can you join a mail list? Is there a calendar of events? Is there a message board? Other dynamic content?
- User Profile- The user profile is part of the Creative Brief. In the user profile you will describe a typical user of the website. You will describe who they are and why they use the website. You will produce 3 of these.
TopSample Creative Brief
Creative Brief Worksheet
Sample User Profile
- Comparative Analysis- The comparative analysis is part of the creative brief it is a document examining competitor's websites. As part of the research on building a website for a client the DesignTeam spends some time examining other websites for design, content, and function/features.
- Timeline- The timeline is a list of major milestones in the project and their expected completion dates. The client signs off on this. It's important that once a timeline is established that the DesignTeam make every effort to meet those target deadlines. Sample Timeline
- Staging Site Setup- The DesignTeam will need to set up some space on a webserver to upload and test the website in development. In some cases this will happen on the client's web hosting server. In some cases this may happen on the CAL webserver. We prefer to use the client's server because we can test things in their actual end use location and this allows us to troubleshoot more effectively. This must be done before proceeding to Phase 2.
- Content Received- The project manager needs to get a copy of the content agreement to the client to be signed and faxed back to CAL. This is very important because it outlines the clients main area of responsibility in the project. It's the responsibility of the DesignTeam to communicate to the client exactly what's needed. Send them the document below that describes in detail our requirements for content. A target date should be agreed upon by both the DesignTeam and the client. Phase 2 can't begin until content is received.
- Client Signoff- Once all steps of Phase 1 are done, the DesignTeam will send a report to the client to sign and return. The DesignTeam will send a copy of the creative brief, the timeline, and the location of the staging site to the client.
Phase 2 Production
- Design Comps- The DesignTeam will create a total of 3 page designs. These aren't working web pages. These are snapshots of what a page could look like. These are often created in Photoshop and saved as jpeg images. The designers will use the questionnaire as a guide when creating comps. The client will review the comps and suggest changes. Once a final design is agreed upon the designer will hand off the design to the developer who will make it web ready.
- Site Map/ Content Chart- Once the DesignTeam gets content from the client the work of sorting and organizing the content begins. Sorting the content into logical groups will inform the structure of the website. A content chart will br produced that will describe each page and its content. A site map will be produced which is a visual representation of the site structure with short descriptions of the content for each page. The DesignTeam will send these documents to the client for approval.
- Template Build- The designer will hand off the Photoshop file to the template builder who will make the document web ready. This is a highly specialized job that requires someone who is familiar with photoshop and HTML coding. The template builder will create all the blank pages of the site and make sure that all the links work. The template builder will upload the template to the testing server and check it in different browsers and operating systems to insure comparability. Once this is done the content can be added.
- Site Build Out- This stage is where the actual content gets added to the site. The DesignTeam will refer to the site map and content chart to make sure the content gets placed correctly. Text and images are placed.
- Interactive and Dynamic Elements- After the content is added the DesignTeam works on any dynamic content. This would include things like calendars, mail lists, email systems, content management systems, blog scripts, shopping carts etc. These are all things that require special coding beyond HTML and must be installed and tested on the client's web server.
- Completion Report- The project manager will fill out a completion report and submit it to the client for a signature. Client and project manager signatures on the report indicate completion of this phase.
Phase 3 Post Production
- Proofread- The DesignTeam will go through the site text line by line and check for spelling and grammar errors. Completion of this step will be indicated in the post production checklist form.
- Bug Check- The DesignTeam will go through the site link by link and make sure all links work properly. Completion of this step is indicated on the post production checklist form.
- Upload to Server and Go Live- All files are uploaded to the client webserver and checked. The website is now live.
- Client Sign Off- The client is sent a copy of the post production completion report. The client signs off on the project indicating completion. Any post project maintenance or updates are negotiated and agreed upon.
All Documents
- Project cover sheet
- Meeting notes document
- Initial client questionnaire
- Contract
- Client planning guide
- Content agreement
- Sample creative brief
- Sample user profile
- Sample timeline
- Phase 1 completion report
- Phase 2 completion report
- Phase 3 completion report
- Maintenance agreement
Web Hosting and Domain Names
We recommend one of the following 2 companies for web hosting-
- Timberlinenetworks.com- This is a local company. We have a service agreement with them that they will configure domain name and hosting for us and bill the client 130 dollars per year. This is a good deal. He provides telephone support which is unheard of at this price. This is our first choice for hosting.
- Godaddy.com- This is a good budget solution. Not as user friendly and no phone support. Cheaper than Timberline. They aren't local and it takes more time to get customer support requests answered.
Dynamic Content Links
- Our basic content management system This one works with any template you build. All pages need to be .php pages. You make the website blank with no content. Then, you install the content manager and use it to add all content to site. Uses PHP, does not need a database.
- Another content management system. This one works with PHP and needs a MySQL database. This system is complete. It has the design built in and it also can be used to generate pages. All you do is install on the webserver and use the built in content manager to generate pages and add content.
- Basic mail list manager. Use for mail based newsletters. Uses PHP and does require a database.
- Contact form for website generator. Use this page to generate a contact form for a website. Uses PHP. Copy and paste code.
- Photo gallery script. Uses PHP and MySQL. This gallery lets the user create galleries within galleries. Users can upload images, add comments, password protect galleries and more. Template driven back end allows customization of the way it looks. Easy to install.
- PHP script library. Hotscripts has thousands of PHP scripts that you can grab and install. Many are free.
- Calendar script. Nice month based calendar. Admin can add events.