Initial Assessment Session

This type of assessment is appropriate at the beginning of a project as a precursor to a proposed statement of requirements.

Business Objectives

• Rationale for the site
• Success criteria for the site
• Branding objectives
• Deadlines
• Management structure (project upwards)
• Operational locations and staffing

Users

What are the main groups of people who will either provide information to or use the system.

• Who originates what information
• Who authorises publication of what information
• Who uses what information
• Natural language diversity
• Professional diversity (e.g. biz/tech)
• Define "easy"
  

Key Information

Need to identify the most inportant pieces of management information, that is those having the greatest business impact through accuracy and timeliness.

• What information should be on the site
• Where does it come from
• How often updated
• Special presentation requirements
• Information volumes
• Classification requirements

Processes

What are the key processes that drive the business and which could benefit from some degree of automation:

• Version management?
• Data import/ export?
• Information publishing?
• Lead generation/ DM support?
• Order capture?
• Electronic delivery?
• Payment processing?
• Visitor tracking?
• Internal management processes?

Access and security

For each of the selected information items:

• Who can access?
• Who can originate/ modify?
• Who can authorise publication?
• Anytypes of information that are especially sensitive?
• Any information that will receive heavy traffic?

Design guidelines

• Minimum browser requirement (e.g. 800x600 px; version 4; JS; no flash)
• Visual design guidelines
• Navigation requirements
• Search engine visibility
• Accessibility guidelines (incl. WAI compliance)
• Language guidelines (incl. English)

Existing Information Systems and Infrastructure

• Key applications
• Key data sets
• Servers / hosting
• Workstations (incl. PCs)
• Internet access arrangements
• Remote access (incl. laptops etc)
• Mail system
• Other key infrastructure