Redesign Roundup: #1 Planning
When enter to the redesign project, I usually learn that there is some way to smooth my progress using any possible tools. The tools here not only mean of software, but also methodology, including the personal habit too.
In the situation of professional redesign project for company or organization, we know that it needs a more serious way around, obviously. About how we plan the project, the scope, the vision, the change, the search engine optimization, how URL change, how section and categories evolve, how new files organized, etc, etc. Everything should be taken care. The most difficult and also the hardest, is the way how the next new website will be operated. How the current team will face the next redesign? Does the content management system need to be changed? How far the change? And also, how the previous website which is already concurrently bookmarked by search engine will be maintained?
So, speaking of my personal website, let’s simplify everything. I think this simple way would be useful to see more clear way than giving example in more complex situation.
Please note that, I made this all open to public in several reasons. First, I want it would be useful for everyone who thought their website is very serious matter, someone like me. May be these steps and guides inspire someone. Second, I want myself reminded if I made any slow progress. Third and to be the last, I think I’d love if there are any suggestions and comments regarding on this redesign work.
The Plan
The first step to develop a website is having a plan. Or if you had a plan, evaluate the previous plan and make improvement to be a better one. Whatever your website do, the plan is the most important to think first. If you don’t have a plan, consider now to have a plan.
The planning phase helps website producer to evaluate the website’s current state (for redesign cases), to envision, to measure and to organize the contents, to identify the profitability of the website (if any), and finally make a production plan.
These plans will be helpful for the development and for the next production phase. In addition, if you develop website for other parties, this plan will help the state of development to the clients. So, not just saying we need to do this and that, you can exactly create a document from the basis of in-progress development. A client loves documents! Your documents saying what you are exactly do. With the proof of documents, you can conveniently charging customers what your team is really up to. You will not be afraid, as I happened previously, with the progress of development, whether it is slowed or stuck.
For customers, the plan will help them exactly knowing what need to be done. The plan will identify whether their spending was worth or just bloated. The rigid and solid plan will make the in-house team attached with outside contractor work seamlessly without having any boundaries. The plan exactly saves clients’ budget! The plan help contractor define budget clearly.
What is my plan?
What is my plan for the redesign of this website? I think it will be easier to make a list of what step need to be worked. Here some of the plan I have for arifwidi.com redesign.
Evaluation
This is about what the current and previous state of my website, what content it have (content inventories), what about the vision (if I have one), what about the change will be about: the content; the design; the user experience;, and what about the money (hey I think I made a little money here), and how the production taken place? (Remember, I had a schedule to be launched on May 1st)
Design
It is about how the new website designed, including the wireframe design, the storyboard/mockup, and later how the prototypes be created. Okay, it is just a personal shot! Actually, after some years of working for several websites, I really think that if we moved to some structured methodology in our work, it make my next work would be easier. Believe me! You can work it with just one shot! Prepare for the whole night, grab some sachet of coffee, do it overnight. It can be done like that. But the result is far away than do it in more an efficient way.
Development
It is about how the new design prototypes implemented in the current working environment. Do we need to install new software, do we need to patch something, and so on. If nothing changed, the process can be very rapid. In case not, well it’s a bit crunchy.
Launch
It is about how to spread the news, like writing this redesign roundup. Not to shame, create and write a blog in a bit reason is about personal publicity. The launch is also a time to evaluate about how the redesign progress resulted. If it needs to correct and revise some things, do those fast so it will not affect any serious damage.
Next installment: Evaluation.
Share: 
— zen · 18/04/07 02:16 AM · #
salam kenal :)
— bek · 11/05/07 01:41 PM · #
gw save dulu artikelnya bro : nanti dipelajari lagi.. hehehe
lag mo fokus ke re-design web2 yang ancur soalnya.
thx for sharing ya
— aroengbinang · 12/05/07 07:36 AM · #
a good approach, as most of the time we just rely on our instinct. btw, i hv put the link. cheers.