Defining the project

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

Operational objectives can be grouped according to short-term and long-term objectives.

Examples of operational objectives include:

• Provide information to company employees
• Provide information to customers
• Develop skills within the company to administer a website
• Develop single sign-on functionality

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

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.

Parent: Plan a website

Next topic: Human resource planning