Web Site Development - Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML - page 403

FAQ

What about other Web site development methodologies?

The development methodology presented in this chapter is a version of the traditional SDLC
modified for Web site development. Other development methods include the following:
● Prototyping. A small working model is created and shown to the client. It is continually
revised by the developer until it is usable for the intended purpose. This method can easily
be included in the Web Development Life Cycle during the Design phase.
● Spiral System Development. This is excellent for very large-scale or phased projects
where it is important to reduce risk. Small portions of the project are completed one after
the other in a spiral system of development.
● Joint Application Development (JAD). This type of development focuses on group meet-
ings and collaboration between the users and developers of a Web site or system. It is
generally used only with in-house development.
● Agile Software Development. This development methodology is viewed as innovative in
that it stresses responsiveness based on generating and sharing knowledge within a devel-
opment team and with the client. The philosophy emphasizes code over documentation
and results in the project being developed in many small, iterative steps.
● Organization-Specific Development Methodologies. Large companies and Web devel-
opment firms often create their own version or interpretation of site development methodol-
ogy to be used on projects.

An important aspect of Web site development is that you are never finished—your site
needs to be kept fresh and up-to-date, there will be errors or omissions that need to be
corrected, and new components and pages will be needed. The first step is to decide
why the Web site is needed in the first place.

Conceptualization

What opportunity or issue is the site addressing? What is the motivation for the site?
Perhaps your client owns a retail store and wishes to sell products over the Internet.
Perhaps your client's competitor just completed a Web site and your client needs to
create one just to keep up. Perhaps you have a great idea that will be the next eBay!

Because the focus of your work is to make the site usable and appealing to your target
audience, you must determine the site's intended audience. It is crucial to be aware of
who your audience is and what their preferences are.

Another task during conceptualization is to determine the site's long-term and short-
term goals or mission. Perhaps a short-term goal is simply to publish a home page.
Perhaps a long-term goal is for 20 percent of a company's product sales to be made on
the Web site. Or you may simply want a certain number of Web site visitors each
month. Whatever they are, it is better if the objectives are measurable. Decide how you
will measure the success (or failure) of your Web site.

Determining the purpose and goals of a site is usually done with the cooperation of the
client, project manager, and information architect. In a formal project environment, a
document that details the results of this step is created, and then approved by the client
before development can proceed.