Building a Project Site

Managing a Web site project typically does not follow any clearly defined methods or standards of practice. Although there is a lot of 'how to build a site' information out there, very little on how to manage a Web project actually exists. But a project site could be just the answer you are looking for.

Leonard-Wilkinson, Theresa A. W-edge Design (2001). Design>Project Management>Web Design>Workflow

Building with Rusted Nails

We can compare web design and development to the process of building a house or a structure. The development of every web site has a process that these craftsmen must follow in order to achieve the finished structure. These phases are generalized and somewhat vague at times, while some may even be grouped or varied in name, but they are all essential steps in each web construction.

Finck, Nick and Peter Fielding. Digital Web Magazine (2001). Design>Web Design>Workflow

The Designers' Outpost: Capturing and Interacting with Design History

In a high-tech field like web design, we might expect to find computer-savvy practitioners accomplishing all their work with the click of the mouse and a stroke of the keyboard. However, in our studies of the early stages of web design, we found that good ol’ pens, paper, walls, and tables were the primary creative tools.

Klemmer, Scott. Boxes and Arrows (2002). Design>Web Design>Workflow

The Freedom of Fast Iterations: How Netflix Designs a Winning Web Site

The designers of Netflix.com have a smashing success on their hands, but we didn't find them resting on their laurels. They want to get even better, and for them that means iterate, iterate, iterate. Netflix isn't the only company using a fast iterative design approach. Google has also gained attention for their unorthodox design methods, with many people complaining that they have a huge stable of products, but only a few they've designed well.

Porter, Joshua. User Interface Engineering (2006). Articles>Web Design>Usability>Workflow

Improving User Workflows with Single-Page User Interfaces

While the sheen has already begun to wear off the buzzword Ajax a bit among Web application designers, RIAs are bigger than ever with our clients and their customers.

Willemsen, Joost. UXmatters (2006). Design>Web Design>Workflow>Ajax

Productivity in the Service Economy

Yes, it is possible for white-collar workers to work smarter and become more productive. While intranet usability provides substantial initial gains, workflow usability can go much further and will save millions of jobs.

Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2004). Articles>Web Design>Intranets>Workflow

Project Definition and Scope  

A template for providing historical information, available industry research, initial scope, a rough schedule, and implementation plans for the proposed project. It should outline business objectives of the project. It is to be completed by the project requestor – usually a business stakeholder.

Malone, Erin. AIfIA (2003). Resources>Web Design>Project Management>Workflow

Say Goodbye to "Webmaster", Say Hello to "Internet Strategist"

It is time to drop your title as Webmaster, and pick up something a bit more jazzy. How would you like to be an Internet Strategist or an Electronic Commerce Manager? The time is now to cast your new role. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the once ubiquitous 'Webmaster' position is a memory. There is a need for teams of people with broad skills, diverse knowledge, and an eye for the Internet future.

Rhodes, John S. WebWord (1999). Design>Web Design>Workflow

The Top 3 Priorities of the Talking Horse

Anytime somebody does something new with technology, something nobody else has ever done before, that technology goes through a talking horse stage. It's extremely common and, more importantly, it's critical for the design team to recognize that they are in this stage.

Spool, Jared M. User Interface Engineering (2004). Design>Web Design>Workflow

Web Design Workflow: Project Organization and Management  

Whether you are managing an internal site, or building a new site from scratch, one thing remains as a key responsibility — managing expectations for an external or internal 'client.' This client must understand not only the fundamentals of building a Web site, but must also understand how each choice and decision that is made impacts both scope and budget of the project. By understanding the core elements of process which go into creating a Web presence, both the client and the project manager can utilize resources adequately and effectively.

Goto, Kelly. GotoMedia (2000). Design>Web Design>Workflow

Where Our Standards Went Wrong

Regardless of whether we find validation impractical or imperative, the infighting in the standards community is the biggest obstacle to real progress. Instead of trying to understand what factors make both sides agitated, we've vilified the people on the other side of the argument. We need to identify what's making 100% validation so expensive and difficult, and work on removing those factors.

Marcotte, Ethan. List Apart, A (2007). Design>Web Design>Standards>Workflow

Wizards and Guides: Principles of Task Flow for Web Applications, Part 2

In part one of this article the discussion was one of views, forms, and the manner in which they could be combined into a task structure known as a hub. This installment expands on those themes by exploring two other types of task structures commonly employed in web applications--wizards and guides.

Baxley, Bob. Boxes and Arrows (2004). Design>Web Design>Workflow>Collaboration

Where Design Really Fits

As a designer, do you know where your work really fits in the process of design? If Web design is your business, then you must make certain you are in the right mindset and you use the right process when it comes to your work. You don't want your designs to fail, but, unfortunately, there is a strong chance that they will do exactly that. Lets take a step back for a minute and define what a failing design is, and why it fails.

Rodriguez, David. Web Page Design for Designers (2008). Design>Web Design>Project Management>Workflow

Productivity in the Service Economy

Yes, it is possible for white-collar workers to work smarter and become more productive. While intranet usability provides substantial initial gains, workflow usability can go much further and will save millions of jobs.

Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2004). Articles>Web Design>Intranets>Workflow

A 25-Point Website Usability Checklist

Four major components are covered in this checklist: accessibility, identity, navigation and content. The list is a printable PDF and contains a rating system and space for comments.

User Effect (2009). Articles>Web Design>Usability>Workflow