HTML and CSS Reference
In-Depth Information
Web Development Life Cycle
For years, university and college information technology courses have stressed the
importance of following the Systems Development Life Cycle when designing and
implementing new software to ensure consistency and completeness. The Web
development process should follow a similar cycle. Comprehensive planning and analysis
ensure that developers will provide what the users want. If you start to code your Web
pages without thorough planning and analysis, you run the risk of missing pertinent
information. It is much less expensive to make corrections to a Web site in the early
phases of project development than it is to alter Web pages that are completed.
The Web development life cycle outlined in this section is one that can be utilized
for any type or size of Web development project. The
Web development life cycle
is a process that can be used for developing Web pages at any level of complexity. The
Web development life cycle includes the following phases: planning, analysis, design
and development, testing, and implementation and maintenance. Table 1-4 lists several
questions that should be asked during each phase in the Web development life cycle.
Throughout this topic, you will follow this systematic cycle as you develop your Web
pages.
Table 1-4 Web Development Phases and Questions
Web Development Phase
Questions to Ask
Planning
• What is the purpose of this Web site?
• Who will use this Web site?
• What are the users' computing environments?
• Who owns and authors the information on the Web site?
• Who decides if/where the information goes on the Web site?
Analysis
• What tasks do the users need to perform?
• What information is useful to the users?
• What process considerations must be made?
Design and Development
• How many Web pages will be included in the Web site?
• How will the Web pages be organized?
• What type of Web site structure is appropriate for the content?
• How can I best present the content for ease of use?
• What file naming convention will be employed for this Web site?
• What folder structure will be used for the Web page files?
• How do I apply standards throughout the development process?
• What forms of multimedia contribute positively to the Web site?
• How can accessibility issues be addressed without limiting usability?
• Will there be an international audience?
Testing
• Do the Web pages pass the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
validation process as HTML5 compliant?
• Is the Web site content correct?
• Does the Web site function correctly?
• Are users able to find the information they need to complete desired tasks?
• Is navigation clear and easy to use?
Implementation and Maintenance
• How is the Web site published?
• How can users be attracted to visit and revisit the Web site?
• How is the Web site updated?
• Who is responsible for content updates?
• Who is responsible for structure updates?
• How will users be notified about updates to the Web site?
• Will the Web site be monitored?
