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Getting it Done

A Process for Planning

Website Projects

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Decide the Result

What will you have created at the end of the project?

Be very specific.

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Brainstorm All Steps

Write down every step that needs to happen to create the result.

Don’t worry about the order that you will do them in.

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Steps Brainstorm

  • Select a theme
  • Upload content
  • Upload files via SFTP
  • Migrate database
  • Test forms
  • Design layouts
  • Theme customizations
  • Install Google Analytics
  • Crawl and create sitemap of existing site

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Obstacles

What are all of the things that could happen that could potentially get in the way of creating the result on schedule?

Delays in content, vacations, no one knows who owns the Google Analytics account, kids home sick, you’re sick

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Strategies

What will you do when your �obstacles present themselves?

What is your backup plan �for getting the thing done?

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Order the Steps

Will you need feedback or approval �before you can start a step?

Do you need hosting account �access before going live?

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Steps in Order

  1. Crawl and create sitemap of existing site
  2. Review sitemap with colleague
  3. Review sitemap with client
  4. Revise sitemap
  5. Select a theme
  6. Share theme selection with client
  7. Set up local install
  8. Install theme
  9. Customize theme with branding

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Estimate Each Step

Decide how much time you�will give yourself to do a step.

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Estimate Each Step

  • 11/5/18 - 11/8/18: Client reviews sitemap & provides color/brand guidelines, logo, additional assets
  • 11/9/18: Select a theme (1 hour)
  • 11/12/18 - 11/13/18: Client reviews & approves theme selection
  • 11/14/18 - 11/16/18: Setup dev & local installs, install theme, brand integration, migrate content (8 hours)
  • 11/19/18 - 11/22/18: Client reviews & approves development site, share GA, hosting & domain accounts
  • 11/23/18: Go live (3 hours)
  • 11/29/18: Training client (2 hours)

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Calendar It

Put it all on your calendar, including �your strategies for obstacles.

Do you need to send reminder emails? Calendar those, too.

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Follow the Calendar

Sounds simple, right?

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Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway

The hardest part is how you’ll feel �when it’s time to do the thing.

Expect to not want to do it.

Expect to feel anxious and overwhelmed.

Do it anyway. Bring ‘em along for the ride.

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Questions?

Let’s Connect

lepittenger@gmail.com�@laurenpittenger

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