Phase 1: Understanding the big picture

We work with the client or partner to refine the vision and clarify the goals, building consensus as we go. If subject-matter experts or an editorial advisory board are integral to the project, we bring them into the process at the earliest possible stage.

Phase 2: Defining the scope

We define the scope of the project in detail, including content, design, and technical requirements. We then prepare four interrelated plans for client approval.

• Content plan: Lays out all types of information to be included in the site and the ways they will be presented; for example, illustrated essays, animated narratives, visual tours, how-to's, data banks, interactive simulations, Q&As, forums, case studies, tips. This plan is also circulated to subject-matter experts and editorial advisors (if participating) for their comment.

• Design brief: Establishes the site's overall architecture, navigation, style of interactivity, and sets criteria for its look and feel.

• Technical specification: Defines the programming language, platforms and browser versions supported; the operating system, plug-in, and database requirements; the performance parameters; and the project's quality assurance, maintenance, and hosting plans.

• Work flow: Lays out the project schedule, including review and approval points, and deliverables required from both the production team and the client at each stage.

Phase 3: Creating the project

Once researchers have located and catalogued any existing visual and editorial assets relevant to the project, writers develop original written content for staged approval by the client and advisors. At the same time, designers work up a range of visual approaches that meet the criteria established in the design brief. Through dialogue with the client, the most appropriate of these is selected for full development, refined, and then applied through every level of the site plan. Meanwhile, a senior technologist reviews the evolving concepts to confirm the viability of translating them into technical reality.

As stages of the work receive approval, programming begins, and production staff shoot, create, or acquire and clear rights for the necessary graphics, audio and video assets, plus any other material essential to the project.

One or more "alpha" versions are usually produced which, while not feature-complete, establish the overall functionality, look, and general feature scope. That alpha then undergoes formal or informal user testing with representatives of the target audience, subject matter experts, and contributors. These tests refine the design and functionality and also "lock" final specifications for the project's "beta" phase.

Phase 4: Quality assurance and testing

Quality assurance is an ongoing process that brings a project into compliance with its initial specifications and modifies those specifications (as needed) in light of new testing.

Once the project reaches the beta phase, it is essentially feature-complete. Dedicated Q/A personnel then systematically identify and track down bugs and variances from the specifications. Each bug is entered into a database where it is reviewed and prioritized, then fixed and confirmed.

For Web-based projects, quantitative tools, including link checkers, are applied for programmatic evaluation.

For CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and DVD Video projects, a "check disk" is created, and all installers, online documentation and disk performance are carefully assessed.

Phase 5: Maintenance and follow through

For all projects, the Q/A process continues after release. For sites that WGBH is contracted to maintain, team members periodically review audience feedback, error logs from the Web server, and other data to make ongoing fixes or content updates.

In some cases, we work with partners, clients, and funders to undertake ongoing assessment and evaluation apart from project development to assess the degree to which the project meets its stated objectives. This testing can be used to refine the project under evaluation and inform the development of future projects.

At the client's request, WGBH Interactive will also train designated client personnel to supervise ongoing maintenance and updating of a site themselves, if the production plan calls for a third-party vendor to host the site under direct contract to the client.

WGBH Interactive can also make its personnel available on a consulting basis throughout the life of a site or a stand-alone product to make modifications and updates as evolving needs require. The long-term stability of WGBH as a producing organization assures that the necessary resources and institutional memory will be in place to support such a long-term business relationship.