Process

Adopting a process for web projects can provide the missing link that unites multiple departments, contractors, and political interests in the common goal of improving networked information services. Some of our Roundtable conversation may turn to the process used to guide various library web projects:

research

target audiences, their online behavior, estimated web use, cost, hosting requirements, competitive intelligence, and other strategic planning. Define target audience, project goals, and user scenarios.

design

preliminary design iterations to address user scenarios and other requirements through discount usability engineering.

development

may involve decisions of ``in-house versus outsource,'' RFP and vendor selection, defining standards and monitoring compliance, other project management.

testing

for cross-platform browsing, speed, attention to detail, stress testing as appropriate.

marketing

launch & promotion, user education and tutorials, contests, search engine registration, direct email, link development.

evaluation

positive user contact and continual refinement based on emerging understanding of your audience. Measurement and reporting of progress towards goals.

evolution

process for ongoing content development, which may include version control, automated site staging and updates.