PROJECT PLANNER

CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: First & Last
Title: Answer here.
Company/Organization: Answer here.
Email address (preferred for contact on this project): Answer here.
Phone number (including area code): Answer here.
Project name: Answer here.
Please indicate what kind of timeline you are on below:
[ ] I need a proposal as soon as possible
[ ] Take the normal amount of time
Other: Describe your timeline here.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
What does your organization do? Answer here.

Check the box(es) that best describe your organization:

[ ] Large corporation
[ ] Nonprofit organization
[ ] Educational institution
[ ] Startup
[ ] Small business (less than 50 employees)
[ ] An individual with a site/idea

Where is your organization located? City/State/Country

How did you hear about me? (check all that apply)
[ ] Friend or colleague
[ ] Search Engine
[ ] Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram)
[ ] Other – Answer here.

Are you familiar with the concept of web standards?

[ ] Yes
[ ] Somewhat
[ ] No

ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

Is this a redesign of an existing site or a new site altogether?
[ ] Redesign
[ ] New website

If redesign –
When was the last time the site was redesigned? Answer here.
What role did you play? Answer here.
What is the website url? http://www.yourwebsite.com
What are some of the fundamental issues you’re trying to improve or business problems
you’re trying to solve with a site redesign? Answer here.
Describe the concept, project, or service this site is intended to provide or promote. Answer here.

What sites do you consider competitors? Answer here.

Aside from competitors, are there any sites you consider to be effective and/or inspiring to the
design and functionality of this site? Please comment on their strengths and/or weaknesses. (Could
be outside of your business or industry) Answer here.

What differentiates your site or idea from the competition? Answer here.

How many people would be involved in this project? Answer here.

Who on your end will guide this project to completion? Answer here.

Who will be responsible for maintaining the site after launch? Answer here.

ABOUT YOUR AUDIENCE

To the best of your ability, describe the primary and secondary users of your site. Answer here.

What known needs are they bringing to your website? (Examples include: Curiosity about or
passionate interest in subject matter, desire to help a cause/become involved, business need requiring
software solution.)
Answer here.

Into what general demographic or user groups do they fall? (Example of user groups, on an
educational site, might include parents, teachers, students, donors, and alumni. Are you looking to attract
younger or older individuals or a broad range?)
Answer here.

For the purposes of this new site or redesign, which of these groups are MOST important?
Try to be specific. Providing a broad age range (e.g. 18-80) is not specific.
Answer here.

What primary action should a primary user take when visiting your site? (Examples include:
registering for an account, subscribing to a newsletter, making a donation, reading editorial content,
referring a friend, viewing a calendar of events, sharing on social media.)
Answer here.

ABOUT YOUR BRAND

Describe in as few sentences or words as possible the feelings you wish your site to evoke, and
the brand attributes you want it to convey. (Sample feelings might include: warmth, friendliness,
reassurance, comfort, or excitement. Sample brand attributes might include: caring, honesty, humor,
professionalism, intelligence, technological savvy, sophistication, reliability, and trustworthiness.)
Answer here.

Using adjectives and short phrases, describe the site’s desired look and feel. (Light, dark, edgy,
crisp, modern, simple/minimalist, 3D, flat (2D), textural, organized, open, contained, organic, earthy,
traditional, understated, friendly/inviting, playful, retro, emphasis on typography, emphasis on
photography/graphics, etc. Please do not use words/phrases like "make it pop", "make it look great",
"unique".)
Answer here.

Do you have a visual identity established?

[ ] Yes, I have a brand
[ ] No, I need brand consulting
[ ] No, but I have colors / photos / graphics

FEATURES & SCOPE

Does your plan include community or social features, such as user profiles, commenting, RSS
feeds, forums, sharing, friend lists, rating/voting, user-generated content, etc.?
Answer here.

Does your plan include media-intensive components such as video, audio, podcasts and other
rich media?
Answer here.

Is your current site powered by a content management system or publishing platform that allows
you to edit content?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] I don’t know (Examples of CMS include: WordPress, Drupal, Joomla)

If you answered ‘Yes’, which CMS or platform are you using? Do you like it?
Answer here.

Are you looking for the redesigned/new site to be powered by a content management system or
publishing platform?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, do you have an idea of what solution you’re considering, or are you looking for me
to provide recommendations? Answer here.

Are there any third-party integration points we need to know about (interfaces to a CRM, e-
commerce, mapping solution, social site or other use of a third party API?)
Answer here.

What is the estimated number of pages for your site? Answer here.

How would you prefer to complete this project?

[ ] Single pass
[ ] Phases - each requiring separate budgets
[ ] Other: Answer here.

Have you already created the site copy?

[ ] All of it
[ ] Some of it
[ ] None of it

Do you have a plan for tackling this effort? Do you need help establishing styles, devising a
content strategy, or actually writing copy?
[ ] Yes, I have a plan
[ ] No, I need suggestions / help creating content
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Describe any technological requirements this site will need, not already mentioned in this planner.
(e.g. accessibility on mobile devices, handicap accessibility, etc.)
Answer here.

To deliver the best experience to the most users and to build pages that will last, I use modern
standards-based methods. As a result, sites may not look exactly the same in an old, non-
compliant browser like Internet Explorer 6 & 7 as they do in newer browsers like Firefox, Safari,
Chrome and Internet Explorer 9. The answer to this question will help determine the amount of
time to allot for browser testing and compatibility.
[ ] My site has to look and work exactly the same way in older as it does in newer browsers.
[ ] I understand that the site may not look as good or work as well in outdated browsers.

SOCIAL MEDIA & ONLINE PRESENCE

To create an online presence for your organization on the web today, social media and interaction
on a regular basis is important to staying in front of your audience. Please check the following
media you are interesting in using and learning about to expand your online presence.
[ ] Facebook fan page and custom app.
[ ] Twitter account with custom background/skin.
[ ] YouTube channel
[ ] LinkedIn to connect your organization with professionals
If your site will include social media links, please list them here. Answer here.

TIME & BUDGET

If you’re working within a time frame, or have been given a mandatory launch date, list it here. If
the project will launch in phases, list proposed milestones and dates. (e.g. Time frame e.g. 1 month,
3 months, 6 months...)
Answer here.

Please indicate your budget for this project.

Note: Sharing a realistic assessment of what you have to spend on this effort will help scope the
engagement appropriately. While disclosing your budget might not be something you typically do, sharing
this information will greatly reduce the likelihood of both sides spending significant time and resources
"shooting in the dark."
Answer here.

THANK YOU
I know this is a lot to ask, but it is a tremendous help in determining the scope of the project for research
and writing a thorough proposal to meet the needs of your company/organization.

Please save the document as {your organization name}.doc (replacing {your organization name} with
the name of your particular organization), and email the document to ashley@ashley-cameron.com.