Download the 03_communication-brief_wksht Worksheet and come prepared to discuss.
1. Name a few examples of “overall goals” for the web site design or re-design.

To increase traffic

To increase sales

To highlight a new product

To make a dynamic, content-driven site

To decrease calls to customer service

To create intuitive navigation

To streamline browsing and purchasing

To create a scalable structure for growth

2. What does a Project Plan consist of?

Project overview

Schedule [including deliverables and methodology]

Budget breakdown, with allocated hours

Communication brief

[not mandatory]            Target audience info

Audience profiles

Audience technical capabilities

User testing plan

Details and assumption

A line for the client’s signature

Give examples of good documentation practices for a project.

If the client signs it, save it. Email approvals ok follow up with hard copy.create a project folder, signed documentation, contracts, briefs, intial proposal and revisions, sitemap visual design directions and KEEP TRACK OF HOURS
Download and review the two estimating methods by Task and by Team and come prepared to discuss.
Download and review the budgeting time tracker and come prepared to discuss.
When is an Additional Charge Form used? (often times referred to as Change Order)

A handy way to document increases in scope.

What are the two ways to approach the Scheduling task?

Create an overview schedule that shows methodology chronologically.  Then build a date by date format that itemizes deliverables and approval reviews according to the due dates.
What is the difference between a Visual Designer and an Information Designer?

Visual designer: creates stunning effective graphics while working within the limitations of the capabilities of the target audience. Fluency in fireworks, flash, dreamweaver, photoshop. Be able to follow a schedule, check in with project manager, and adept in the art of client communication.

Information designer: eye for design, structure, and usability, the information designer translates content and business goals into functional schematics. This person develops the site map and structures the way content navigation is laid out on a page – all of this in a non-design-oriented-manner

What is a “staging area?”

The staging area acts as a hub of communication. Divide it into two sections: a client staging site and a team development area. For the client, or internal decision makers, set up a central HTML staging area to post all deliverables and project documentation.

What is included in the agenda of a “kick off” meeting?

Introduction of the project plan- Introduce the project, client and team, go over details, assumptions scope, contact info and means of communication

Overall site goals- distribute the communication brief and go over in detail

Schedule and timing- discuss project calendar, launch date, content delivery, risks, scope creep

Content – who will provide content, schedule of content delivery

Next steps – what happens next and who will be in contact with whom, organizing and structuring site

Regular meetings – will all decision makers in place schedule meetings, establish a meeting time week to week

Based upon the profiles, the redesign, must work on all browsers, for both mac and pc users. The site must be interesting but not to complex. The site must be easy to use, printable and not to distracting.

The goals of the site

1. ease of use
2. resourceful
3. printable
4. exhibit listings
5. interesting interface

The objectives of the site

1. simple, clean, white space

2. easy navigation

3. major info above the fold

4. journalist format/ grid type layout

5. content management solution [cms]

6. not to colorful