WATCH: Step 1 - Define the Project
Intro
As you can remember the 6-stage process in designing a Web site as show below, the first step is defining the project. Project definition may seem relatively unimportant, but having a well-defined audience will keep you focused and on-task.
This first stage consists of gathering and analyzing the information necessary to clearly identify the scope of the project and then prepare for kick-off. You will start by asking a lot of questions, and you will gather a lot of data that will be used to shape and communicate the expectations of the project.
In stage 1 you also define project scope, where ideally you understand everything from budget to ongoing maintenance. No matter the size or scope of the project, thorough planning is critical to success and efficiency.
CC By-NC 2008, Jared Stein. Web Design, http://jaredstein.org/courses/web-design/