Copyright © 2001 Bolton Institute Dept. of Computing & Electronic Technology - 34.4 Multimedia Integration and Applications Lecture 7: Main Build Management

Copyright © 2001 Bolton InstituteCopyright © 2001 Bolton InstituteDept. of Computing & Electronic Technology - Dept. of Computing & Electronic Technology - 34.4 Multimedia Integration and Applications34.4 Multimedia Integration and Applications

Lecture 7: Main Build Management

Damien Markey


Lecture 7: Main Build Management

• How to start a build• Assembling the team

– Designer – Developer – Database developer – System administrator – Project manager/Producer

• Roles/Responsibilities/Tasks


How to start a build

• First task– Re-evaluate scope and plan– Has it changed due to any of the following:

• the results of the prototype lab• client requested changes• Market changes• Technology changes

• If so, re-scope and/or re-plan the project within the new boundaries


How to start a build - 2

• Merge the visual designs and prototype layouts– Create a graphical template of main site

pages– Go through “Cut up” of graphical template

to create the HTML templates– These can be agreed and delivered to

designers in batches to speed up production



Co-operative Development Practice

• Create, agree and publicise file-naming convention for the content– Common ones are

• Section_pagename_date_time.XXX• Author_pagecode_date_time.XXX

(where pagecode is the unique identifier of a page on a site)

• Agree page sign in and out procedures– Avoid two people working on the same

page


Co-operative Development Practice -2

• Create, agree and publicise folder structure for the site– Common examples include

• Images directory• Script directory• HTML directory• ASP page directory

• So everyone knows where to find and store files they need


The Team

• This can already be identified by this point• If not identified then key personnel need to be

found • Their roles and responsibilities have to be

identified• In many cases members of the team will

share roles e.g.– the technical lead could be the

programmer on a small project• In this case you are the team!


The Team - 2

• Roles within the team are in 1 of 3 categories– Essential Roles

• Roles without which it would be impossible to deliver even a small scale project

– Secondary roles• Roles that can be useful (even necessary) in

mid to larger scale projects– EXpert roles

• Specialist roles that are needed on large or niche area projects


The ESX Rules

• Some examples of ESX roles– Essential – Project Manager

• Is required to scope and plan a project– Secondary – Programmer

• Can be needed to code JavaScript/ Flash/ CGI scripts but would not be needed on a brochure site

– Expert – Security Expert• Would be needed on a project for an online

bank but not on a children's play site• Larger projects can require Secondary/Expert skills


Typical Roles and Responsibilities

• Common roles within projects include

• Designers• Information Architect• Copywriter• Artist • QA lead• Tester• Audio/Video/3d/Streaming

Engineer• Media Buyer

• Project Manager/Producer

• Account Manager• Technical Lead• Creative Lead• Network Manager• Security Expert• Programmer• Web integrator


Project Manager/Producer (E)

• Responsible for:– Scoping Project– Creating and maintaining Project Plan– Allocating and managing resources

(including team)– Managing budget and timescales– Handles contract/legal issues

• Main point of contact for Client and team• If no one else does, the PM has to!


Account Manager (S)

• Hangover from Advertising/Media agencies• Liases with Clients and understands their

customer requirements– Acts as client representative to Internal

team (usually PM and Creative lead)– Acts as team representative to Client

• Liases with Client over several projects• Mostly sales and marketing role• Can be handled by PM on small projects


Technical Lead (E)

• Has the overall view of the technical aspect of a project

• Prepares technical strategy and briefs for PM• Manages the programming and technical

teams• Allocates specialists (such as networking

expert) for more specialised tasks• Essential for all but the simples of projects


Creative Lead (E)

• Responsible for Creative concept and design for entire site

• Manages designers and artists• Also responsible for allocating resources for

specialist design tasks, such as 3D or animation tasks

• Liases with technical lead, programmers and any technical specialist on feasibility of designs


Network Manager (S)

• Responsible for setting up, configuring and administrating:– web servers, – email servers – and any other agreed hardware necessary

to fulfil the technical delivery of a project• Can also be responsible for registering

domain names and setting up net links• Can be the Database administrator in small

projects


Security Expert (X)

• Responsible for the creation of encryption plans and setting up financial transaction security

• Should have experience in this are with encryption technology

• Can recommend strategies and products• Often a network engineer, database

administrator or lead programmer• Usually the best paid of them all!!!!


Programmer (S)

• Responsible for the development of applications on the site in a programming language– Usually specialists in one of the following

• Flash,• CGI,• JAVA, • JavaScript, • SQL, • C/C++

– Usually has skills in two or more of above


Web Integrator (E)

• Responsible for the integration of visual designs and backend programming

• Usually codes the final HTML pages, integrating media and any client side programming into the pages

• Often the HTML guru and is the final person in the process before hand off to QA

• Often communicates directly with PM and Technical lead


Designers (E)

• Create the look and feel of a site• Create the initial Graphical templates• Often now create the basic HTML page using

a tool such as Dreamweaver• Has to have an understanding of digital

design not just print/Fashion/graphical design• On small projects can be the Creative Lead


Information Architect (S)

• Responsible for – Site Architecture– Site Navigation– Search/Data retrieval– Interaction design/User Experience

Planning• Also responsible for error messages,

legal/Terms of Reference, privacy messages, users technical needs


Copywriter (S)

• In knowledge based sites responsible for extraction of knowledge form the subject expert

• Creates new copy• Or Checks Client copy


Artist (E)

• Responsible for turning the designers creations into Web format– Decreasing resolution– Optimising images– Cutting up screens

• Nowadays the designer often performs this task


QA lead (E)

• Responsible for ensuring the site meets the scope and functionality requirements specified

• Interacts with programmers and designers during bug fixing to assist completion of the site

• Responsible for giving final “go-live” OK to PM


Tester (E)

• Part of QA team• Responsible for the testing of site to ensure it

meets functional and scope requirements specified

• On small teams can be the QA lead


Audio/Video/3d/Streaming Engineer (X)

• Responsible for the creation of any of the above content types for delivery to the technical and creative leads


Media Buyer (X)

• Responsible for the advertising campaign– Both Offline

• Posters, Billboard, TV, Radio– And Online

• What banner and other ads will run on the site

• What ads will be run for the site and where

– Responsible for any links to portals

Documents

Copyright © 2001 Bolton Institute Dept. of Computing & Electronic Technology - 34.4 Multimedia Integration and Applications Lecture 7: Main Build Management