PHASE 1: PLAN
The project sponsors and other important stakeholders will decide whether to commit to the web project and define it at a broad level.
Identify the website’s purpose.
- What is the rationale for embarking on this website project?
Example: We want a website that focuses solely on this program and the functions related to applying, enrolling, and being a student of the program. - What are your objectives and how will you leverage the website to achieve them?
Example: Increase newsletter subscriptions by making the web form responsive and brief.
Determine success metrics.
- How will you measure impact and success?
Example: Increase subscriptions 10%, from 500 to 550.
Identify target audiences and audience goals.
- Who are the primary and secondary audiences?
Examples: Prospective undergraduate students, current undergraduate students, prospective graduate students, current graduate students. - Are there any other key audiences that will visit the website?
Examples: High school counselors, parents of prospective undergraduate students. - What are the top three tasks you want each of these audiences to do on the website?
Examples: Read graduate program descriptions, learn how to apply, sign up for the newsletter.
Assemble a project team.
Who will be involved in the building, launch, and maintenance of your website? To determine whether you may need to hire an external vendor, answer the following questions:
- Do you have an in-house web developer? Yes/No
- Do you have an in-house content writer and editor? Yes/No
- Do you have an in-house designer? Yes/No
- Do internal team members have the bandwidth to make the website a top priority during key phases of the project? Yes/No
If you answered, “No” to any of the questions above, you should plan to hire freelance professionals or agencies. In this case, you will need to prepare a Scope of Work in order to find the best professionals to work with within your budget.
For those considering hiring a third party for their website work, Georgia Tech has an enterprise-wide contract in place that allows you to quickly get estimates from a group of pre-approved vendors.
Resources:
- Hiring a Website Vendor (aka, How to navigate the enterprise-wide web projects contract)
- Scope of Work Examples: Small and Large Website Projects
(Note: you will need to login with your GT account information to access these documents.)
TIP:
“Around this time, there may be a need to develop a communications strategy around the redesign effort and launch. In some instances, the communications will primarily be internal.” Shayla Hill, Assistant Director - Digital Strategy
Next Step
Once the project has been formally started, all team members should participate in the discovery part of the Planning Phase.