Ignore You?
Learn Techniques Every Developer Can Use to Keep You Informed By David Dutt
Oct 3, 2011 - You worked hard to find a web developer. They are strong out of the gate and they look great, but suddenly they have gone quiet. Everything may be fine, but not knowing can be unsettling. The next time you pick a web developer, ask them how they handle some basic techniques for keeping that communication fresh.
1. Project Management
A good project manager is your agent for any issues, questions or changes relating to your project. They provide a master specification document, timelines and expectations for project tasks, as well as regular updates. If there is a bottleneck or conflict that can slow a project down, your project manager should let you know, before you discover it on your own.
2. A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
Phone calls, e-mails, chats are great for communication, but gaps can occur when trying to take an original idea into the real world. With a creative design staff, a good developer can make it easy, using the following basic techniques:
Wire Frames – A representation of web page elements. Wireframes show functionality, but typically do not show graphics, fonts, etc.
StoryBoarding – A graphical walkthrough of process flow or animation on a web site
Design Proof of Concept – A graphical “first look” of how your web site will appear with basic functionality.
Working Beta Version – A working beta copy of your web site for testing ideas or for providing a non-public view.
3. Communication Process
A good developer will understand that management in your company is demanding or that your business is depending on them. If communication is prompt, then you look good and your business can plan accordingly. Internal templates and documented processes show a developer’s commitment to staying responsive to you.
4. Support Portal
What happens to your source code, design docs and flow charts. during the project and after? A support portal is a content management system for all design and process documents, as well as source code, techtips and everything else needed to support your project
5. Collaboration with Technology
What if you do not have the time to drive, ride the train or fly to meet? Or maybe you prefer face-to-face meetings instead of e-mail or chat? Here are a few technologies to streamline the communication and collaboration process:
Web Conferencing – Webex, GotoMeeting, Adobe Connect, TeamViewer, BeamYour Screen and RHUB GoMeetingNow are all viable options for collaborating remotely. Some, like Teamviewer, are free.
Video Calls – Skype, ooVoo, Google Chat, MSN Chat are a few that offer free on-line video options. Quality depends on your ISP, as well as traffic/latency on providers/backbones in between callers.
Shared Documents – issues lists, change control documents, design documents can be shared on a support portal or using one of the free on-line document sharing services like Google Docs or Microsoft OfficeLive Workspace.
At Amicus, we understand the importance of communication and collaboration as a way to produce better solutions together. These techniques and others are what make us stand out as a top provider of web and software development services.