Building A Good Web Development Team

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Whether it is used as a marketing tool or as an eCommerce business, Web sites are more than just an addition to the corporate presence. They are a necessity. In many instances, a site can make-or-break a company’s image, especially concerning eCommerce businesses. Visitors want simple, yet interesting sites with appealing graphics and user interaction. However, if the design is too busy or its pages take too long to download, you will lose potential clients. In other words, you have to be aware of what the public expects from your Web site.

This is why a good Web development team is crucial to your business and Web presence. When establishing a Web development team, many user specific variables must be taken into account. For example, if your business uses its Web site as a marketing tool to present products and services, you may only need a static site that will be updated periodically. Your Web team may consist of a single skilled Web master. Just be careful of putting too much stock in one individual. A long-term absence could be catastrophic to the project. Other sites may require weekly, daily, and in some cases, up-to-the-minute updates requiring round the clock attention. This team may consist of multiple system administrators, Web application programmers, Web masters, and project managers.

For the sake of this article, I am going to discuss a team compiled for a small- to medium-sized eCommerce company, and I offer this scheme not as a rule, rather as a guide.

Project Manager:

The project manager is the key to a successful team. He or she is responsible for more than just the site. They are responsible for the team’s individual members, communication and follow-through. This position does not require specific programming or networking skills, however, a technical background is preferable. The project manager will be representing the team, and must be able to speak intelligently. One of their most important tasks is to gather the requirements of the site and understand the expectations of the client. They must understand the scope of the project to correctly convey the ideas to the team members. Good oral and written communication skills are essential, as are time management and organizational skills. They must possess the ability to lead team members, manage resources and be poised and confident to speak to management and clients regarding the progress of the team. Generally speaking, three to five years of project management experience is a good minimum requirement for this position.

Web Master:

A Web master is more than just someone who knows HTML and a few Java scripts. This person must also have good written skills, should be responsible for grammar and spelling, and will work closely with the client and Project Manager to determine the content of the site and layout. Depending on the size of the site, the Web master may also be responsible for graphic design. Knowledge of Flash animation, Adobe Photoshop, as well as VB Scripting is always desirable. Should a designer be available, the Web master should be the liaison to the team. A successful Web master must also be familiar with the operating system, and the internet server applications that run on the server. The two most common OS’s are Windows NT/2000 running Internet Information Server, and Unix running Apache Web Server. A third up-and-comer is the Linux/Apache combination. The required skill set will depend on your environment. An understanding of SQL or another database engine, and how it communicates to the application server is desirable. Three to five years of experience is typical for a qualified Web master.

Application Developer:

The Web Applications Developer is responsible for developing server side functionality for Web-based applications. This involves working with all aspects of the server and database. Common internet programming languages include PERL, CGI, ActiveX, ASP, and Java, among others. Experience with IP networks, database development and an understanding of the operating system are essential. They must be able to work with the project manager to analyze and interpret the client requirements and recommend solutions, so strong problem-solving and analytical skills are essential. Depending on the complexity of the applications, your developer should have anywhere from 2-4 years experience.

Systems Administrator

A good SysAdmin can make the difference in a successful site. The site is only good if it can operate in a secure and stable environment. System administrators are generally responsible for building, maintaining and securing the Web, application and database servers in the internet architecture. A Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) with a background in Internet Information Server has the appropriate skill set for system administration in a Microsoft environment. If your environment runs on Unix, an individual with firewall and Apache Web server background, along with 4-6 years of network administration experience, should possess the necessary skills to complete any Web team.

Many times, system administration is outsourced. If you are a small company, you may not have the equipment necessary to host your own servers and provide 24/7 reliability. You have to account for backups, UPS, site monitoring, redundancy, server maintenance, security, and overall reliability. Sometimes it is more feasible to contract out to a hosting service like Virtualis or eHost.

Graphic Designer (if available)

As I mentioned before, Web masters often have the basics of graphic design. However, if you have the resources, a graphics designer will greatly enhance your Web development team. The designer can assist in the creation of images and other graphical needs of the development project. You should expect a minimum of a four-year degree in fine arts or related field, and least two years of graphical design experience in a Web environment. Additionally, they should be proficient with the latest multimedia tools. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are recognized as the industry standard. Knowledge of layout, composition and color theory as well as experience with HTML is a plus.

Project Management

I spoke earlier that the Project Manager is responsible for managing the team’s activities, especially communication among the team members. A solid plan is critical to accomplishing this task. The plan must be detailed, straightforward, and easy to understand. Regular project updates should occur so the members may interact and discuss various tasks in depth. Keep in mind, just as the project manager must provide the medium to communicate openly, all team members have a responsibility to be actively involved in the project. Most importantly, involve the members in the planning from the beginning. If not, you run the risk of team members not understanding the scope and the required result. A hardcopy of the plan should be readily available to each member, and displayed in an easy to reach area. I recommend Microsoft Project 2000 as an in-depth tool in the creation of the project plan. It allows you to create a calendar, Gantt chart, flow charts, and the ability to track resources, among other valuable utilities. In closing, I want to stress the importance of communication among the members of any project team. Without clear guidance and leadership, project failure is inevitable. Without constant communication, details will be missed and tasks will be incomplete or wrong. In the end, the client will lose potential profits and the team will lose potential clients.

Bryan Walbridge, MCP+I, MCSECEO, 4th Power Web , Inc.www.4thpowerWeb .com