The KTDC Web Design Process

MAG Step 1:
Meeting to define your goals and planning
KTDC is committed to learning about you, your organization, your mission, your objectives, and your goals. Having established this understanding, we can specifically define your needs.

This step lays the groundwork for partnership and trust. Beginning with a face-to-face meeting early on helps us arrive at approaches that suit your objectives, your budget, and your communication needs. KTDC explains the terms of business with an eye toward maintaining open, transparent dialogue between us and you, our client, from the beginning. This includes a clear understanding of the ways we will meet and exceed your goals, explanation of the "virtual studio" model, and the way billing is structured.

Upon acceptance of a written proposal, a contract is signed. No work begins until contract is completed and check deposit received.

Step 2:
Planning documents
After the kick-off meeting a first round of planning documents will be circulated to the client by the KTDC Project Manager. These include:

Information Architecture - Outlines all of the content for the web site and categorizes them into a logical tree structure. The information architecture will begin to designate important content that should be highlighted or featured on the homepage. It will also inform the navigation for the site, such as the main menu navigation and the linkages across different sections of the site.
Functional Requirements Document - This is a textual description of the functionality for each of the administrative tools and the front-end screens for general users. This document builds upon the initial proposal and fleshes out the functionality for each area.
Screen Mock-Ups - To illustrate how the functionality will be presented on the screen, KTDC's main technology partner Modern Signal will create Visio or HTML mock-ups of representative site pages.

Step 3:
Design
Once the planning documents have been approved, the design process can begin. This includes both the crafting of visual designs that will determine the look and feel and layout of the web site but also the technical design, which includes the database schema and plans for shared libraries and functions. Typically the design process includes presenting two concepts that each include a home page and one archetypal sub page design.

Step 4:
Programming
The planning documents then provide a blueprint for development to ensure that completed application will fulfill the goals and objectives set forth originally. With these documents in place, the actual technical implementation will begin.

KTDC works closely with technology partners, and in particular Modern Signal, whose applications will undergo a comprehensive quality assurance process to test that each screen functions as scoped and without errors or complications. In addition, the application will go through a code review and benchmarking process to ensure that all code is clean, documented and optimized for maximum speed, performance and scalability.

Step 5:
Review, Feedback & Reporting
Through each phase of this project, KTDC will be in close communication with the client to keep them abreast of the progress of the project and to obtain feedback at key milestones to ensure that their vision remains throughout the implementation.

To facilitate this process, the KTDC Project Manager will act as the day-to-day contact and will be responsible for all communications and reporting. This individual will function as the point of contact and will ensure that the project is developing according to specifications, budget and schedule. On occasion technology partner Modern Signal may contact client directly if need be to clarify any technical questions.

Step 6:
Ensuring your continued satisfaction
In the last, ongoing, step KTDC continues to work with you to ensure your organization's success in achieving your goals. This includes conducting follow-up evaluations to check your satisfaction with the finished product, monitoring your upcoming needs, and serving as a continued resource for all of your creative design and communications needs.