Web Project Management, 1st Edition

Key Features

* Includes insider tips from the perspective of the world's leading Web developers.
* Focuses on project management as it relates to e-commerce.
* Teaches you to organize and put together a team, develop goals, manage schedules and budgets, overcome pitfalls, maintain, evaluate and evolve a commercial Web presence.
* Includes an introduction to the key principles of Web project management and a case study of the Channel 5 Web site-a popular project managed by the author.
* Provides templates, via a companion Web site, that you can use to develop your own project documentation, a discussion forum, links to related sites, a glossary of terms, a database of useful white papers, and an Internet knowledge quiz.
Description

Web Project Management presents a solid Web project management method for building commercial Web sites. Developed by pres.co, a leading interactive agency, this refined eight-stage approach lets you closely manage your project's contributors, quality, costs, and schedules. Importantly, the book also details how to define, measure and understand the success of your project on an ongoing basis. This book is an indispensable resource, whether you are a project manager, online manager, Web director, consultant or producer.
Readership

Project Managers, Producers, Web Managers, Webmasters, Production Managers, Developers, Designers.

Preface. The World of the Web Project Manager: 

1 Setting the Scene.
1.1 Project Management Principles
1.1.1 The Force of Change on the Web 
1.1.2 Parallel Development on Web Projects 
1.1.3 Broader Skill Set Needed for Web Work
1.2 Roles and Responsibilities of the Web Project Manager 
1.2.1 Knowledge
1.2.2 Communications 
1.2.3 Documentation 
1.2.4 Quality Control 
1.2.5 Development 
1.3 Where Do the Project Manager's Responsibilities Begin and End? 
1.4 Attributes of a Good Project Manager 
1.5 The Rewards of Being a Web Project Manager 
1.6 The Composition of a Web Development Team 
1.6.1 The Evolution of Web Development Teams
1.6.2 The Necessary Skills Within a Web Development Team 
1.6.3 Team Structure 
1.6.4 Roles and Responsibilities
1.7 Once upon a Time . . . 
1.8 Summary

Method: 
2 A Web Project Method.
2.1 The Importance of Having a Method
2.2 Different Methods for Different Purposes 
2.3 Summary

3 The Project Road Map.
3.1 Project Phases and Work Stages
3.1.1 Phase 1 Overview: Preproduction 
3.1.2 Phase 2 Overview: Production 
3.1.3 Phase 3 Overview: Maintenance 
3.1.4 Phase 4 Overview: Evaluation 
3.2 Individual Projects as Part of a "Virtuous" Development Spiral 
3.3 Team Workflow Throughout Project Work Stages 
3.4 Project Manager Competencies and Tasks Mapped to Work Stages 
3.5 Summary 

4 Work Stage 1: Project Clarification. 
4.1 Where the Project Manager Fits In
4.2 The Importance of Getting a High-Level Project Sponsor 
4.3 The Opportunities at This Stage 
4.4 Discover, Refine, Define 
4.4.1 Discover
4.4.2 Refine 
4.4.3 Define 
4.5 Commercial Requirements 
4.6 Creative Requirements 
4.7 Technical Requirements 
4.8 Content Requirements 
4.9 The Project Brief 
4.10 Budgets, Schedules, and Resources 
4.11 Summary 

5 Work Stage 2: Solution Definition.
5.1 The Project Manager's Role
5.1.1 Bring In the Consultants
5.1.2 How the Bidding Process Fits into the Preproduction Phase 
5.1.3 Defining How You Will Run the Project 
5.1.4 An Opportunity to Learn 

5.2 Defining a Web Strategy 
5.2.1 Review of Strategic Objectives
5.2.2 Development of a Business Case 
5.2.3 Development of a Business Model 
5.2.4 Development of the Web Proposition 
5.2.5 Implementation and Organizational Requirements 
5.2.6 A Web Strategy Example

5.3 The Creative Solution 
5.3.1 The Creative Environment
5.3.2 Brainstorming 
5.3.3 Brand Development 
5.3.4 The Look and Feel 
5.3.5 The Tone and Editorial Voice 

5.4 The Technical Solution 
5.4.1 Keeping Abreast of Technical Advances
5.4.2 The Responsibilities of the Technical Solution Team 

5.5 The Content Solution 
5.5.1 Working with an External Content Provider
5.5.2 The Importance of the Format of Content 
5.5.3 Ensure Content Is Ready for Web Use 
5.5.4 Start Content Creation and Preparation Early 
5.5.5 Defining Editorial Procedures and Update Mechanisms 

5.6 The Project Management Solution 
5.6.1 Start to Involve the Implementation Team
5.6.2 Set Up Regular Meetings 
5.6.3 Team Agreements, Main Points of Contact, Reporting, and Sign-Off
5.6.4 Set Up Working Environment 
5.6.5 Terms and Conditions of Work 
5.6.6 Fallback and Recovery Plans 
5.6.7 Resourcing 

5.7 Summary
6 Work Stage 3: Project Specification .
6.1 The Importance of the Project Specification
6.1.1 The Importance to the Team
6.1.2 The Work Involved 
6.1.3 The Cost Involved 
6.1.4 Contracts 
6.2 The Content of the Project Specification Document 
6.2.1 Version Control 
6.2.2 Distribution List 
6.2.3 Contents 
6.2.4 Introduction 
6.2.5 Project Objectives 
6.2.6 Success Criteria 
6.2.7 The Site Map 
6.2.8 The Functional Specification 
6.2.9 The Technical Specification 
6.2.10 The Content Plan 
6.2.11 Marketing 
6.2.12 QA and Testing 
6.2.13 Updates and Maintenance 
6.2.14 Critical Path 
6.2.15 Budget 
6.2.16 Appendix
6.3 Summary

7 Work Stage 4: Content .
7.1 Introduction to the Content Work Stage
7.2 Responsibilities of the Project Manager 
7.3 Sourcing Content 
7.3.1 Content Syndication and Creation
7.3.2 Free Content and Functionality 
7.3.3 Content Repurposing 
7.3.4 Stock and Library Content 
7.4 Managing Content Providers 
7.5 Content Formats 
7.5.1 Considerations for Text
7.5.2 Considerations for Imagery 
7.5.3 Considerations for Audio 
7.5.4 Considerations for Video
7.6 Content Delivery 
7.6.1 Mail and Email
7.6.2 ISDN 
7.6.3 HTTP and FTP 
7.6.4 Zipping and Stuffing
7.7 Asset Tracking and Management 
7.7.1 File Structures
7.7.2 Databases 
7.7.3 Content Tracking 
7.7.4 Viruses 
7.7.5 Back Up
7.8 Managing Copywriters 
7.8.1 The Challenges the Copywriter Faces
7.8.2 How to Help the Copywriter 
7.8.3 Presenting Copy Work to the Client 
7.8.4 Constructive Criticism 
7.9 Storyboarding 
7.9.1 What Storyboards Should Contain
7.9.2 Methods of Storyboarding 
7.10 Content Management Systems 
7.10.1 Separation of Content and Presentation 
7.10.2 Customer Relationship Management 
7.10.3 Considerations Surrounding CMS
7.11 Summary

8 Work Stage 5: Design and Construction. 
8.1 Forward Planning
8.1.1 Things to Prioritize in Forward Planning
8.1.2 Setting Up the Server 
8.2 Meetings 
8.2.1 Importance of Meetings
8.2.2 A Format for Effective Meetings 
8.2.3 Kick-Off Meetings 
8.3 Briefing Your Team 
8.3.1 When to Prepare Briefs
8.3.2 Briefing Meetings 
8.3.3 Scope of the Brief 
8.3.4 Contents of the Brief 
8.3.5 Briefing on Changes 
8.4 Working Environment 
8.4.1 Location of the Team
8.4.2 Tools and Materials 
8.4.3 Management and Reporting Structures 
8.4.4 The Development Environment 
8.5 Team Management 
8.5.1 Tell Them About You
8.5.2 Understand Their Jobs 
8.5.3 Involvement in Client Meetings 
8.5.4 Workflow 
8.5.5 Resolving Issues 
8.5.6 Staying in Touch 
8.6 Work in Progress 
8.6.1 Reporting on WIP
8.6.2 Showing WIP 
8.7 Sign-Off 
8.7.1 The Dangers in Omitting Sign-Off
8.7.2 Approaches to Getting Sign-Off
8.8 Change Control 
8.8.1 Recognizing When a Change Matters
8.8.2 Change Request Forms 
8.8.3 Managing the Client's Expectations 
8.9 Documentation 
8.10 Prototyping 
8.10.1 Market Research
8.10.2 Approaches to Prototyping 
8.10.3 Forms of Prototyping
8.11 Troubleshooting 
8.11.1 Catch Problems Before They Become Problems
8.11.2 Turn a Problem to Your Favor 
8.11.3 Share the Problem 
8.11.4 Why Is the Client Having a Problem That You Are Not?
8.12 Summary

9 Work Stage 6: Testing, Launch, and Handover. 
9.1 Testing
9.1.1 Selling the Importance of Testing
9.1.2 Types of Testing 
9.2 Launch 
9.3 Handover 
9.4 Summary

10 Work Stage 7: Maintenance.
10.1 The Project Manager's Input
10.2 Who Should Form the Maintenance Team 
10.3 How the Site Should Be Maintained 
10.4 Service-Level Agreements 
10.4.1 Content of the SLA
10.4.2 Tasks for Client's Internal Update Team 
10.4.3 Ongoing Tasks for Web Development Team 
10.4.4 Commitments to Meetings 
10.4.5 Site Access Control 
10.4.6 Termination Notice Periods 
10.4.7 Training and Development 
10.4.8 Response Times, Error Handling, and Resolution Procedures 
10.4.9 Data Storage and Site Recovery 
10.4.10 Data Ownership and Use 
10.4.11 Project Documentation 
10.4.12 Performance Monitoring/Management Reporting 
10.4.13 Liaison with Third Parties 
10.4.14 Software and Hardware Upgrades 
10.4.15 Maintenance Team 
10.4.16 Costs 
10.5 Summary 

11 Work Stage 8: Review and Evaluation. 
11.1 How the Project Manager Contributes
11.2 The Project Review 
11.3 The Value of Evaluation 
11.3.1 Measuring ROI
11.3.2 Increasing ROI 
11.3.3 Decision Support 
11.3.4 Performing to Standards 
11.4 Quantitative Metrics and Analysis 
11.5 Qualitative Metrics and Analysis 
11.6 Summary 

Case Study:
12 Reality Bytes. 
12.1 Project Background and Overview: www.channel5.co.uk
12.1.1 Project Clarification
12.1.2 Solution Definition 
12.1.3 Project Specification 
12.1.4 Content 
12.1.5 Design and Construction 
12.1.6 Testing, Launch, and Handover 
12.1.7 Maintenance 
12.1.8 Review and Evaluation 
12.2 Summary 

Appendix A Resources. 
Appendix B Recommended Reading.
Index.