The Role of Project Manager

We have tackled a wide array of topics so far, from social media and Google publishing to the sales funnel concept. Web page creation is one common thread connecting these areas, so we have to ask who the people who lead this project are. Search for an answer leads us to explore the topic of a human component behind project management. When building a web page, everything may seem straightforward at first. We hire a developer, tell him/her how we want it to look and that is it: our website is up and running! Well, here we actually fall into a trap.  In practice, things are much more complex. Namely, if one wants a site aligned with the overarching business strategy, the project must go well beyond mere site production. 

After all, a website is the mainstay of a company’s digital presence and it has to reflect its business goals, as well as vision and mission. On top of that, the site should be easy to use and navigate for users- or their buyer personas.  Judging from this standpoint, companies that decide to develop a website on their own face various unknown variables. These involve research, site maps, wireframe, InVision design, development, testing, etc.  

So, there are a lot of moving parts you need to grasp in order to have a successful website. In addition, many people (developers, designers, and others) have to work hand in hand to see the process through. 

Why a Project Manager?

This is precisely where a project manager comes into a play. This individual ties different process up into a coherent project and enables the clients to get the best possible solution. On the side of the client, the company that wants a website developed, the situation is as follows. A representative, usually a marketer, provides a detailed brief to the organization. This brief contains comprehensive information on the main project goals, as seen through factors like competition, business environment, website preferences, functionalities, etc. 

The briefing process itself is stacked with activities and requires knowledge of various fields, including marketing, consumer psychology, web design, and programming. 

Web Production Project Stages 

After the briefing phase, a sequence of steps looks like this:

1. Creating a Site Map– This is part of the process when you determine what pages the site will be composed of. Also, you have to decide how the pages will logically correspond to the narrative website tells. 

2. Wireframe Formation– In the stage of crafting a wireframe, you make a detailed sketch of the site’s structural scheme and a “rough” outline of the page design. 

3. Web Design- Once we complete the first two stages, we move into the design territory. Thanks to the brief, sitemap, and a wireframe, a designer has a clear idea of how the site is supposed to look like, both structurally and aesthetically. UX and UI designers are tasked with making the user experience the project’s focal point. This step ensures the website is easy to use and has the layout, colors, and fonts adjusted to the buyer personas and principles of functional and well-organized design. 

4. Web Development- Upon finishing the design phase, all design and functional elements enter the programming workflow. Depending on the complexity of the website, it can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Usually, one doesn’t perform Scrum Sprints because they involve very short timeframes. When it comes to more demanding projects with longer development periods, companies tend to use Scrum timetable, provided it fits the project strategy. At this point, it is also time to add content (images, text, links, etc.) to the site.

5. Testing- It is the step that includes design, development, structure, and on-site SEO checkups. Moreover, testing refers to all prep activities needed to launch the site and meet the expectations of the client. 

6. The Deployment Phase– is the process of activating the website on servers and bringing it into an online existence. 

All these stages call for undivided attention and constant communication between clients, project managers, and the production team. Average time needed to develop a relatively complex site is one month. Taking a look at the matrix of processes, we realize that creating a web site demands in-depth knowledge and experience of managing different teams. 

Final Considerations 

The clients might argue that this whole endeavor increases project costs. However, if we focus on the big financial picture and the fact that we can grow from our mistakes as we go, one other statement rings true. Our people like to say: “What you don’t pay on the road you will pay once you arrive at the bridge.” Besides, having one person handling all communication and reviewing is of immense value. Not only that but this same individual coordinates other people participating in the project. 

All in all, you want to get familiar with the steps web page creation entails and then make an informed decision. 

To go DIY or to seek external help, the question is now.

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