At the center of the Web development
process is the user - not the designer, or the programmer,
or even the client! Keeping this firmly in mind, we
easily get to the nuts and bolts of designing and
building innovative Web sites that people will use!
The successful design and development
of effective Web sites marries front-end and back-end
development. The front-end comprises information architecture,
content, and user interfaces. The back-end is where
content is stored, retrieved and manipulated by requests
from the front-end. The following matrix describes how
Berger and Fries architects and develops a web site
through a three-step process of Analysis, Design and
Implementation.
|
Requirements Analysis
|
Design
|
Implementation
|
Front-End Development
|
Identification
of target users and their likely needs; site objectives
defined; information architecture started. Time:
1 week |
Graphic comp process
where non-functional mock-ups are presented as
design ideas. Information architecture finalized.
Time: 3-4 weeks |
Build of front-end graphics,
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, build templates that will
house back-end data. Testing, revisions, testing,
etc. Time: 2-4 months |
Back-End Development
|
Detailed
written analysis of most likely use cases; written
analysis of needs with visual use-case modeling
of system(s) required. Time: 2-3 weeks |
Translating
the user's needs into possible software and hardware
solutions. Simulation testing solution proposals;
Buy/Build options considered with RFP submissions
to vendors, if needed. Time: 3-4 weeks | Either building applications
or integrating off-the-shelf applications that
perform functions and algorithms in the designed
systems; connections made to databases, partners,
customers and any 3rd party vendors that participate
in the system(s). Time: 2-4 months |
At every step of the process, before proceeding,
milestones are met and tested against a baseline requirement.
Further, a detailed development plan is written at the
beginning of the process which clearly states who is
responsible for delivering what and at what time. With
hard-work, open communication, and a sense of humor,
the process always works!