Questions to answer before a web development project

Development projects become harder when important decisions are postponed. Before choosing a platform or writing code, define the problem the software must solve and the people who will use it.

Specify the work

List the main user journeys, required pages and business rules. Distinguish essential features from ideas that can wait. Describe the content and data the site will handle, including who can edit it and who can see it.

Map dependencies

Identify payment, email, booking or other systems the project must connect to. Check what access, documentation and approvals are available. Agree who owns domains, hosting accounts, source code and third-party licences. This avoids surprises when the site is handed over.

Decide how success will be checked

Plan reviews of design, content and functionality at useful stages. Test on the devices and browsers your audience uses, and include accessibility, security and recovery checks appropriate to the project. Write down how issues will be reported and fixed after launch. A clear acceptance process helps both the client and developer know when the work is ready.