Project Brief Requirements

Your first major project in this class will be to develop a project brief. The following is a list of what is required to be in your brief. Be sure you understand each section.

1. Introduction/Present Situation. The introductory paragraph should describe the purpose of your site. It should include a statement about your client and/or your client's business, why your client wants a site and what your client's expectations are.
2. Concept. Function, focus and Format.
   1. Articulate the goals for the web site from the perspective of the user (at least 2 goals) and the business (at least 2 goals).
   2. Tell who your target audience is.
   3. Explain your design rational including planned:
      • color scheme
      • font types
      • page layout
      • look and feel
3. Site Diagram. Creat a flowchart of the site design and architecture at a conceptual level.
4. Inventory of Site Content. This is where you define the site content. Provide an inventory all existing content, then describe what new content is required. Use the table from this Web Site Content Worksheet:http://www.wilsonweb.com/worksheet/content-plan.htm.
5. Agreement. This is where you set the expectations between you and your client. You will save yourself time, money, and frustration by ensuring that you use this for every web site you develop for a client...no matter who that client is! Your agreement should include at the minimum:
1. Scope of Web Site Content/Elements. This is the part where you list what you are putting on the site for your initial price quote. It should include:
1. the number of web pages
2. the number of graphics per page
3. the number of navigation links
4. how much text per page
5. how many links per page
6. basic search engine optimization
7. how many forms
8. special features: like video, sound, dynamic html, etc
2. Creep/Changes. Include a section that tells how much you will charge if the client wants additional pages, features or if the client wants changes made to final content.
3. Hosting. You must specify whether or not you provide hosting. If so, how much. If not, then you need to specify that you need root access to the site from the clients hosting provider.
4. Work Schedule. Create a timetable and list what elements will be completed at the following three milestones.

1. comps
2. prototype
3. final site completion

5. Initial Quote. This is how much you are charging for the site. If the client specifies more than what is in the contract, update the contract specs and the quote.
6. Maintenance and Ongoing Costs. You may want to specify a time period or window in which you will provide basic maintenance to the site. These should be minor changes only, not page or graphics redo's or additions. If you plan on doing ongoing site maintenance for your client, specify what you will charge.
7. Payment/Refunds. How much is due up front? When is final payment due? Be sure to specify a refund or "bail out" clause. There may be a case where you just cannot work with a client so make sure you always have a way out without losing your shirt.