I was watching the 2008 Tony Awards on Tivo last night and started thinking about the similarities between putting on a Broadway show and developing websites. Every website Quiddities develops is a production of sorts.
The Plan
We start with an idea from a client, then work to develop that idea into a plan. Once we have a plan, we begin building the set (design & structure) and writing the script (content). As we build the set we tweak, and fine tune each piece until it is just right.
Tech & Dress Rehearsals
A few weeks before releasing a website we start having tech rehearsals. The tech rehearsal is where we pull together all the components of a website, including design, content, and programming. After the tech rehearsal, we then start the dress rehearsals. This is the part where we review the site to insure that the integrity of the design is maintained and the content is accurate. At this stage, last minute finish touches are applied to formatting and styling.
Previews (Beta)
We then have previews of the site for the stakeholders in the project. The previews are a chance for the stakeholders and Quiddities to review the site again, to insure that we have maintained the integrity of the site and final tweaks and adjustments are applied.
Go Live
After final review, we determine that we are ready to go on with the show. In geek terms we call this the “Go Live” or “Launch” period. The excitement builds as we enter the final hours before we go live with a website. Will the audience like the website? Do we tell the story that was intended? Then after many weeks, and sometimes months of preparation and development we raise the curtain and launch the site. As with any new Broadway show, the first 24 hours can sometimes be a little bumpy as we work out any kinks that may come up. In the end, we recognize the collaboration and hard work have paid off to successfully launch the site.
And The Winner Is…
It is with great pleasure that I’m happy to announce two new “productions” that we have recently launched using the Drupal Framework.
UC Berkeley Printing Services
UC Berkeley Parking & Transportation
Coming soon…
Over the next few weeks we will be launching several more UC Berkeley websites. I want to thank all of those involved at Quiddities and UC Berkeley for their hard work and dedication to preparing these sites to go live.
We have several other websites on the horizon that will be launched in the next couple of weeks, and I look forward to announcing those as well.