The process for web design and development is a simple thing; process is a good thing; better yet, it's a beautiful thing, because it's a mechanisim of refining, defining and effectively managing the expectations of the business and client. Process exposes problems up front, and it provides solutions to those problems. Ideally the end result of process is that everyone is happy.

How does the process begin?

Phase 1; Discovery
The Discovery Phase is probably the most common and well known phase for web design and development. Almost everyone in the industry uses it, but they might call it something different. In essence it's the same; the Discovery Phase is a series of small steps or “micro-processes” meant to define the expectations of the client. What does the client want? What's their budget? What's the ideal launch date? The final end result of this phase is a Scope Document; it's a finality and blueprint for moving forward.

Phase 2; Drafting
The Drafting Phase is where the sleeves roll up; using the Scope Document from Phase 1, the creative and development team start making ready for the build. The creative treatments are drafted from pencil and paper to final versions. All creative and technology requirements are defined, submitted for review and signed off on for Phase 3

Phase 3; Implementation
This Phase is best defined through 3 internal steps; these steps are crucial before the site can go live.

1. Buildout; once the sign off from Phase 2 has taken place, the buildout starts to commence; this where the shell for the site is constructed, and all wiring for dynamic functionalities (if any) are put into place. It's also here where all the content is put in place. All of the tasks for the Buildout are
2. Internal Testing; in essence the site is done and ready for Internal Testing. The Development Team will check and double check all requirements as defined in the Scope Document. When all is ready the site will be pushed to a live “staging” location for the client to view. It's in this final step that the customer will address any changes or problems that may have surfaced.

Phase 4; Launch
Ideally the site is done; it has reached a stage where all expectations, as defined by the Scope Document, have been met, so the site can pushed out to it's proper domain location.

Phase 5; Maintenance
The Client may elect to implement different levels of maintenance for the site. Based on expectations and ensuing costs, the levels may involve simple maintenance, such as small graphical and copy changes, to full service agreements where uxcreative will handle all changes (defined and within reason).

Fini!