Website Functional Specifications Development
Website Architecture - the detailed plan
Before you build a house, you hire an architect to design it. The same should be true with any website of moderate complexity or higher. This plan is called a specification (or spec), and it essentially details not only what the website will do, but also how it will achieve this.
You need a decent website specification for your project to succeed
Developments that don't have detailed specs usually fail miserably. Conceptual problems that should have been identified in the design phase are very expensive to correct once coding has begun.
With a decent spec, you can:
- reduce development costs
- identify design flaws before they're built
- prevent dreaded scope-creep
- keep on time and on schedule
Another important consideration for having detailed specs is in sourcing vendors. You cannot get comparative quotes from different developers if they don't have the same target plan to build to. You want to be able to compare apples to apples when you get quotes.
Your web designer cannot do it
There are certain concerns you should have if your development vendor is doing the spec'ing. Most often they are biased by their skill-set and influenced by their bottom-line profitability. The web consultant that creates your website specification should be independent of the development team that will implement it - not to mention that you need the spec before even looking for a developer since you require it to obtain decent comparable quotes.
Best Practices for modern security and stability
Just like there are building codes to adhere to when building your home, there are rules and guidelines when it comes to developing a website or web application. Any website architectural design I do for you will live up to modern web development best practices. This will ensure that the finished product is secure, stable, and easy to use.
Still not convinced?
If you're still not convinced that you need a detailed spec from an independent consultant, then try one of my free website consultations where we can go over your project requirements on the phone in a 15 minute session. Be warned though - there are only 2 slots per week and usually I'm booked solid.
Contact me today
To get started with your custom website specification for your project, send me detailed information about your project, and I'll give you a prompt call back to discuss this further. Contact me right now.
PS: Many clients have come to me too late. They decided to save some money in the planning phase of their project, only to realize massive unexpected costs down the line. The planning phase is not a step you want to cheap out on - trust me.
