BSAC Case Study

The seven stages:

• Concept
• Discovery
• Content development
• Design
• Development
• Launch
• Post-launch

1. Concept

We were awarded the BSAC project through a rigorous tendering process where several documents are created and submitted to a board. The main document was the project brief where we submitted our plan and ideas for improving the old site and set out the sites requirements and possible developments.

2. Discovery

Once awarded the contract the initial meetings with the BSAC project manager and all the staff involved were commenced. This stage was fully used to iron out any details which were not completely clear in the design and programming requirements. From this a clear picture of site requirements was drawn up along with an analysis of competition and recommended design styles.

3. Content Development

The entire site is content managed so in terms of content, this would be provided and created entirely by BSAC staff but creating and improving the architecture was key. The old site was highly un-usable making improvement easy. Thining down navigation depth and making all information clearer as easier to access and see was the initial step. Then layout of publications, links and the all important data tables was next. Then last area of the architecture to be tackled was the method of searching and applying queries to all the scientific data.

4. Design

The initial mock-up of the main design was supplied and confirmed during the tendering process and initial meeting. During development though the design of tables and search tools was essential to getting a clearer picture of how to fully develop the site to its full potential. This stage was used to create several options of data representation so that the client could decide on a preferred method.

5. Development

Development was the longest and most complex area of the project taking nearly 3 months to get the site launched. Throughout the process the code and programming was tested in-house and also externally but scientist who had a more clear idea of what data they should be expecting.

6. Launch

After all testing was completed and the site was cross-compatible on all platforms we launched. Initially the site was launched without the use of the search system as this was not entirely quality checked but to meet the deadline the site was launched on the pre-agreed date. The with the further testing completed the whole site was launched.

7. Post-launch

With all primary functions completed all secondary site capabilities are then completed and all other nice-to-have functionality is added and covered cost wise by the maintenance contract that was agreed.