Website Development - Concept Phase Overview

The Concept Phase of our Website Development process comprises seven essential stages, each contributing to the successful formulation of the project. These stages are as follows:

1. Project Kickoff: At the beginning of this phase, we introduce the dedicated resources who will be working on your project. This is also an opportune moment for our clients to introduce key stakeholders who will provide valuable feedback and assistance throughout the project. During the kickoff meeting, our CTS project coordinator will thoroughly review the project's contract, requirements, and deliverables.  While we briefly touch upon the design questionnaire's high-level aspects, a more in-depth discussion is scheduled for a subsequent meeting. By the end of the Project Kickoff, CTS will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the client's objectives and priorities, as well as a list of key stakeholders and decision makers for the Website Development project.
2. Site Credentials: This stage involves collecting and organizing all the necessary login credentials and access information required for seamless project development and management, often including a "Tech Talk" between IT teams. Ensuring secure and efficient access to the relevant platforms and systems is vital for a smooth workflow.  
3. Design Questionnaire: A comprehensive design questionnaire is employed to gather essential insights into the client's specific design preferences, branding guidelines, and functional requirements for the website. This step lays the groundwork for creating a tailored and visually appealing website that aligns perfectly with the client's vision.
4. Initial Assets: In this stage, we collaborate with the client to gather any existing assets that will be incorporated into the website. This includes media files, branding materials, and other relevant content. By consolidating these assets early in the process, we streamline the development and design stages.  
5. Requirement Validation: After compiling all necessary information, we conduct a thorough validation process to ensure that the project's requirements are complete, accurate, and feasible. This step minimizes potential roadblocks and misunderstandings later in the development process. 
6. Concept Development: The Concept Development stage is where our team of experts translates the gathered information, requirements, and branding guidelines into a compelling website concept. This includes conducting a website audit and creating a sitemap to provide a visual representation of the website's structure and design.
7. Concept Review & Feedback: Once the initial concept is ready, we present it to the client for review and feedback. This collaborative exchange ensures that the client's expectations are met and any necessary adjustments are made before moving forward. The output are a finalized site map and an approved design brief that will be used in the Design Phase.

Throughout the Website Development project, we adhere to a well-defined Project Roadmap, progressing linearly. Our approach ensures constant forward momentum, and we do not revert to previous phases or stages, guaranteeing an efficient and effective development process. The outputs of this phase are the approved sitemap, design brief and client assets and content needed for the design phase. Once the client approves the three outputs, we can not go back and make additional edits to the sitemap, design brief, or mockup page content.

By following these meticulous steps during the Concept Phase, we set the stage for a successful and productive Website Development project, delivering results that align precisely with the client's goals and expectations.