Defining the project
It is important to have an understanding of the objectives, deliverables, and scope of a web content system. Your project definition outlines the what, why, and who of the project and can be used throughout the life of web content system.
You define the following information in project plan:
Background
Define the background information for the project. This information can include why the project is being undertaken and any history of previous and current related projects.
Mission
What is the mission of the project? Writing a mission statement can help in determining the requirements of the website.
Objectives
It is essential to determine the objectives of the project. These objectives can be provided by the project team, determined from meetings with the project stakeholders, and usability workshops with users. It is important that all stakeholders agree on the final objectives of the site. Each objective should be clear and concise. There should be no room for assumptions or varied interpretations.
Business objectives
These objectives define what the business wants to achieve. They focus on concerns such as profit and brand value.
Examples of business objectives for an internet site include:
- Reduce costs of distributing press releases and sales materials
- Reduce the number of phone calls taken by the support team
- Strengthen existing customer loyalty
- Discover potential customers online
Examples of business objectives for an intranet include:
- Provide specialized and tailored content to key groups within the company
- Ensure that employees feel valued
- Reduce business costs by making staff more productive by improving their core tasks
Operational objectives
User objectives
These objectives define the needs of the user of the website and are crucial to developing the site objectives, structure, and functionality.
Examples of a user objective for an internet site include:
- Make it easy for me to find what I want
- Make the information understandable and relevant
- Let me know where I am in the site
- Retain my privacy
Examples of a user objective for an intranet include:
- Find up to date, relevant information as quickly as possible
- Keep me informed of latest news and updates
- Help me perform core business functions such as completing time-sheets and applying for leave
- Reduce my frustrations
- Let me publish information
- Help me feel connected, supported, and valued
Site objectives
Site objectives are derived from the business, operational, and user objectives. They may be the result of the intersection of the business, operational and user objectives, or they may be additional objectives that result from analysis.
Examples of site objectives for an internet site include:
- Provide clear and easy to understand navigation that enables users to find information quickly
- Provide a search feature
- Write content for the web so that it is easy to read and understand
- Provide an FAQ section addressing the most frequently asked questions of the support team
- Provide a framework that structures content for the user and not the business division
Examples of site objectives for an intranet include:
- Provide clear and easy to understand navigation that enables users to find information quickly
- Support key common tasks such as time-sheet entry
- Provide a customized news section
- Provide an FAQ section addressing the most frequently asked questions of the support team
- Provide a framework that structures content for the user and not the business division
- Enable staff to enter content that is then put through a workflow before being published on the intranet
Project teams
Define the role of each of the teams involved in the project and the organization of the teams. Some project team examples include:
Executive sponsors
The owners and drivers of the project
Project team
Responsible for the day-to-day management, analysis, and construction of the new site
Reference group
Business unit representatives consulted to ensure that their needs are addressed
Focus group
User representatives consulted to ensure that the new site is user focused
Deliverables
Document all the deliverables of the project. Give a description of what the deliverable are and the expected timeframe for delivery.
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Plan a website
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Human resource planning
Apr 1, 2011 1:26:17 PM
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