Site production

Process

The producer is responsible for developing a Web site, from start to finish. The producer architects, edits, designs, and develops the site. The producer makes sure  the site is sustainable after day-to-day involvement is complete.

• The sponsor/client is the final approver for each step of the project.
• Advisors from the client’s area may be consulted through focus groups at the outset to provide feedback.
• Additional staff and contrators may be requested: copywriter, photographer, photo researcher, videographer, editor, or production assistant.

Staff resources

• For a DIY (do-it-yourself) project, site development should require no more than 10 hours of producer time
• For a DIT (do-it-together) project,site development should require no more than 25 hours of producer time
• For a DFY (done-for-you) project, site development should require no more than 100 hours of producer time

Milestones and tasks

Plan project

• Receive request from client
• Define scope and identify advisors
• Define strategy for measurable success
• Approve scope and team
• Meet for kick off
• Determine marketing and communications goals

Produce prototype

• Inventory existing content
• Determine required interaction functions
• Develop information architecture
• Create interface design mock-ups
• Build prototype
• Apply architecture to prototype
• Migrate existing content into prototype
• Develop new content (text, images, audio, video) and add into prototype
• Apply interface design to prototype theme
• Commission and deploy custom functions
• Proofread and seek approval for new text and images

Test and release site

• Test user experience and quality assurance standards
• Release site to limited audience
• Go live to all (replace previous site)
• Measure success and refine
• Provide ongoing coaching to client to sustain site

Read more

• Web Style Guide: Site development process
• Web Style Guide: Site development team