The Signoff – When is Done Done

It is Done!

NOTE: This the eighth segment of a 9-part series on how to create a successful small business website. If you’re planning to create a new small business website or enhance an existing website, this series will help you improve your chances for success. Step 8 involves approving the final product for implementation.

During the testing phase, you should have accomplished the following:

1. Resolved all glitches and technical issues that prevent your visitors from using the site as ‘intended’.
2. Updated the website to resolve any user interface (layout, functionality) issues that are critical to your site’s success. For example, if during the testing phase, you learn that the most of your test users had a difficult time finding or using your website navigation area, you should definitely resolve this issue before ‘going live.’ These are the issues that cause your visitors to leave the site (due to confusion, error or annoyance).
3. Developed a listing of potential future enhancements. You are certain to receive feedback on features that are not included in this initial implementation. Create a “wish list” containing these items and plan to revisit them when you begin to plan for your next website enhancement.

Now that you’ve completed the testing phase and received valuable feedback from your test group, it is time to signoff on the project and schedule the launch date. The signoff process will vary depending on your website team or developer. However, you should always state in writing that you approve of the final product and schedule the actual date that you would like to “go live”.

NOTE: “Go live” is basically a phrase to state that you’re ready to launch the website and make it available for public viewing.

Resist the urge to launch the site if there are “loose ends” or other items to be completed. “Loose ends” should either be completed during the development and testing phases or considered for the next phase.

It is done. And it is not perfect. Sounds weird, but it’s true. If you’re having trouble checking the completion box because of the pesky wish list of cool & suggested features, you will be happy to learn that most successful ventures are works in progress. And if you’ve performed the following tasks, you’re ahead of the curve and on the path to success:

• Documented realistic goals & objectives for this phase of the project. This will help you target your marketing efforts more effectively.
• Resolved any technical glitches or issues that prevent an effective user experience. You want to maintain a high level of quality.
• If you have stayed within or close to the original scope of your project, you should be within your budget and near your expected deadline. This is important to ensuring that you’re not borrowing resources that could be used during the next enhancement phase.

Once you’ve issued the final signoff, you have stated that the project is complete. The next step is measuring the outcome of your project. Congratulations! It is done.

Kishau Rogers

Kishau Rogers is the President and Founder of Websmith Group, a web application development company. Her mission is to connect businesses with the information and technologies necessary to meet their goals EFFECTIVELY. Kishau Rogers holds a Computer Science Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and has over sixteen years of experience, which includes web, application and database development. Kishau also speaks, blogs, and writes articles to educate organizations and entrepreneurs on resources and best practices for ensuring effective, dynamic and innovation web solutions.

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Your Web Project: Testing & Customer Feedback

TESTING & CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

NOTE: This the seventh segment of a 9-part series on how to create a successful small business website. If you’re planning to create a new small business website or enhance an existing website, this series will help you improve your chances for success. Step 7 involves testing your final product.

Testing is an important phase for technology projects. The testing phase ensures that everything is working “as expected” and as identified in your project requirements. The technical team responsible for developing (coding) your website will test their code and interfaces for glitches and other issues. However, you should also perform some testing of your own. Be sure to carve out enough time to review the work completely. Revisit your requirements document to ensure that all requirements were met.

Since the visitor experience is the most important, you should also enlist a small group of people to review the site. Ideally you would include a few current & past customers. During Step 1 (Do Your Homework), it was recommended that you “survey your current and past customers regarding the features that they feel are most important to include on your future website or similar websites in your industry”. If you performed this step, you should enlist the same group to review the final product. Be sure to provide your test group with a brief document describing the site, as well as descriptions of any features and enhancements. This will give them some perspective regarding your intended final product. You will want to ask questions regarding:

1. Their overall experience using the site (layout, look & feel, functionality).
2. If they experienced any technical issues or glitches while accessing the site.
3. Their feedback on each new feature/enhancement.
4. Their recommendations for future enhancements.
5. If they feel that the new site or new site enhancement is an improvement and if it increases their ability to do business with you.

Compile your feedback and the feedback of your test group and submit it to your website team/developer. For this phase of your project, you will want your technical team to focus on feedback received on user experience (question #1) and technical glitches experienced while testing (question #2). Issues related to questions #4 – 5 are for your records. You should use this information to plan the next phase of your project. If your test group requests future enhancements, don’t make the mistake in trying to implement the enhancements at this time unless you’re willing to utilize additional resources and time to implement the new features. If you decide that new features identified during your testing phase are important and should be implemented before you “go live”, meet with your website team to develop a new budget and timeline for implementing the new items (See Preventing Website Project Headaches & Frustrations).

Kishau Rogers

Kishau Rogers is the President and Founder of Websmith Group, a web application development company. Her mission is to connect businesses with the information and technologies necessary to meet their goals EFFECTIVELY. Kishau Rogers holds a Computer Science Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and has over sixteen years of experience, which includes web, application and database development. Kishau also speaks, blogs, and writes articles to educate organizations and entrepreneurs on resources and best practices for ensuring effective, dynamic and innovation web solutions.

Website - Twitter - More Posts