Web Site Development Methodologies - High Level Models and Methodologies for Information Systems - page 74

outlines the framework, and WISDM builds on it to propose a construction where
creative and technical thinking come together to deliver user-centered content.

4.9 Participative Methodology for Developing Web Sites

Developers creating a Web site must take into consideration usability and HCI
principles. According to Issa ( 2008 ), these two important aspects are fundamental
for the development of ef cient Web sites that adequately match basic marketing

purposes. Designers and users need to work together within a well-de ned meth-

odology to generate a Web site that meets the requirements of the users and creates
a need for them to return to the Web site (Issa 2008 ).
Building on the notion that the designers must consider issues of usability and
HCI principles when creating a Web site, Issa ( 2008 ) developed a new method-
ology, named the Participative Methodology for Marketing Web sites, as a result of
an intensive study of existing systems development methodologies, marketing
methodologies, and other Web development methodologies (Issa 2008 ). The con-
cept of usability is central to this approach, due to its focus on marketing and sales,
which transforms the user into a customer. In the Internet, users have a great deal of
information available to them, which allows them to build informed opinions and
provides them with variety and choice. If users are faced with a Web site that is
dif

cult to navigate, slow, confusing, and frustrating to use, they will quickly search
for a better alternative.
The Participative Methodology proposes a set of stages that the process of Web
development should entail. However, these stages are not necessarily sequential,
but iterative. The authors have based their model on the Star Life Cycle Model,
which places evaluation and testing at the center of the process, as the organizing
axis that supports all other activities (Issa 2008 ) (Fig. 4.5 ).
The major stages of the Participative Methodology are presented in Fig. 4.5 .

Usability Evaluation (SA0) This stage is located at the center of the new meth-
odology, as, before the process moves on to another stage; it is necessary to
evaluate the results from the previous stage, which is known as

“ formative eval-

uation. Measurement (SE0.1): This step is an ongoing

evaluation of the Web site to ensure that it achieves its intended purposes.

” Usability Evaluation —

Functionality Testing (SA1) This stage is also located at the center of the new
methodology (along with the usability evaluation) to test the results from the pre-
vious stage before moving to another stage. Expert-based and user-based evalua-
tions will test the Web site to ensure that it functions effectively from the technical
perspective.

Planning (SA2) This stage allows designers and users to address various project-
scoping issues: (1) the requirements for developing a Web site; (2) the nature of the
product and the buyers; (3) the rm ' s competitors; and (4) the location of the site