Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
ProSkills
Decision Making
Planning a Personal Web Site
To create an effective Web site, you must begin by making a series of decisions about the
site's purpose and parameters. Decision making is the process of choosing between alter-
native courses of action. Understanding the decision-making process will enable you to
make better decisions which will, in turn, lead to the creation of a more effective Web
site. This is especially important if you plan to create Web sites professionally.
Obtain Relevant Information
Your fi rst step is to gather all information and data that is related, directly or indirectly,
to the decisions you will make. When creating a Web site plan, this can include infor-
mation about your potential target audience and potential site goals, any site content
that you have developed, all collateral materials that you have collected, user data, and
research into similar sites.
Evaluate the Information, Develop Alternatives, and
Select the Best Option
Use the information that you have collected to develop alternatives and to make predic-
tions regarding the relative value of each alternative. For example, to determine the goals
for the site, you can create a list of all the potential goals, and then narrow the list to the
top fi ve goals. Prioritize the list with the main site goal as number one; then consider
how this will effect the layout, design, and information architecture of the fi nal site. Use
this process to develop alternate site goals and to evaluate the effects of each list on the
fi nal site, then select the best alternative as the fi nal list of goals for the site.
Prepare an Action Plan
After you have made a decision, you need to create a plan for implementing the deci-
sion. Consider all the steps you must take and all the resources that you will need to
achieve the desired outcome. For example, once you have made all the decisions about
your Web site, you must develop a plan for creating the site. What resources will you
need for your project? How will you acquire those resources and how long will it take to
get them? What is the timetable for the project? When will you start and how long will
each task take? Is there an order in which you must complete the tasks? Can any tasks be
performed at the same time? You should select a project manager and then assign mile-
stones to track the progress of your plan's implementation.
Take Action and Monitor Results
Once you have created your plan, the plan implementation begins. As you make prog-
ress, it is important to compare actual activity to the scheduled activity to ensure that you
stay on track and on schedule. It is also important to assess how well the implemented
plan is achieving the desired results. If elements of your plan have unintended results, it
may be necessary to reevaluate your decisions and to adjust your plan.
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