|
Our development methodology provides a standard, structured approach that is applied to all our web site projects. Symbiation’s proven approach to developing projects will allow our clients to work in collaboration with us, to a successful project outcome.
Symbiation’s Project Lifecycle is divided into the following stages:
- Discovery
- Specification
- Production
- Release
- Performance Measurement
Discovery
In the initial high-level analysis performed during the Discovery phase, the scope of the project is determined and documented in conjunction with the client.
On the successful conclusion of the Discovery phase, both Symbiation and the client will have a clear picture of the short- and long-term goals of the site, as well as its intended audience, content, budget and timeframes.
Specification
The foundations of the site are laid in the Specification phase and form the blueprint for the project. The Specification phase is one of the most critical stages of the whole project development process.
The Specification process incorporates:
- Research
- Brainstorming
- Planning
- Information Architecture
A dedicated team will be appointed for the duration of the project. Regular communication will be maintained with the client throughout, and Work In Progress (WIP) meetings will ensure the client is kept fully informed at all times.
Symbiation completes the following processes during the Specification phase:
- Creative Design Brief
This is a standard document which all clients are asked to complete. It addresses the issues of site content, structure, visual presentation and usability.
- Functional Specification
The Functional Specification is the blueprint for the flow and structure of the site evolving from the client’s response to the Creative Design Brief, as well as Symbiation’s own research into the client and their market. It provides the client with an unequivocal definition of the site’s functionality, the content of every page and the site navigation.
- Technical Specification
This document describes the system’s components and processes involved in implementing the Functional Specification, including any database development, server side validation and security.
- Initial Look & Feel
The look and feel of any website is essential to its success. Information on the company and any branding details are crucial when developing layouts, colour schemes and usability.
- Project Plan
The blueprint for the site is mapped onto a timeline to establish which stages (and pages) are dependent on the completion of other pages. This Project Plan allows the Producer to determine which resources are required, how long the build and testing phases will take and subsequently the cost of the build phase.
- Client Approval
Formal approval is required from the client on the Functional Specification and the Technical Specification documents prior to the commencement of site production.
Production
The Producer implements the Project Plan and manages the project by coordinating and communicating with Graphic Designers, Content Engineers and Internet Programmers. The client is kept up to date on major project issues and milestones through weekly WIP meetings and regular communication.
The key deliverables of the Production phase are:
- Page Templates
The Graphics Team creates visual design templates for each different type of page within the site.
- HTML Build
The graphic templates are cut and built into the basic pages by Content Engineers, in preparation for the Programmers’ ‘bells and whistles’ to be added.
- Integration of Internet Programming
Once the HTML structure is in place, Internet Programmers can proceed with integrating the pages with the site’s back-end and adding extra functionality.
- Expert Review
When the Production phase is nearing completion, the Producer conducts an expert review to ensure the site’s design principles and usability goals have been achieved. Any issues identified are fixed so that full Usability Testing can be undertaken.
- Usability Testing
Full-blown usability analysis is completed by the Information Architect, either internally or with external usability specialists, using demographically and psychographically correct user types. This stage is particularly important for large, highly functional sites.
- Quality Assurance Testing
A Testing Plan is developed to ensure correct functionality as detailed in the Functional and Technical Specifications. The site is tested against strict industry standards and proven criteria. Symbiation’s Quality Assurance Testing process ensures that we achieve the extremely high levels of quality necessary to release truly world class websites.
Release
Once Production and testing is complete, the site is ready to be sent live.
For highly functional sites, a Site Handover document is completed. Responsibility for the site is passed from the Producer (development content owner) to Symbiation’s Site Operations Manager (live content owner).
A Site Handover document outlines:
- Maintenance, upgrade and scalability issues
- Updates by different members of the Development Team
- Future troubleshooting
- Confirmation of adherence to all Symbiation processes and procedures
- Site hosting migrations
Performance Measurement
A critical part of any web presence is the ability to understand how it is being used, who it is being used by, whether the objectives of the site in terms of its usage are being achieved and ultimately what the return on investment for the site is.
Through the use of Web Analytics, a business can gain detailed insights into the performance of its web site and indeed its overall web strategy.
After a pre-established period of time, the Key Performance Indicators identified in the Creative Design Brief are reviewed to ensure the site is meeting its success criteria. The results of this will be analysed and recommendations made where appropriate.
For further details, please contact us.
|
