Web application development - a client driven process

Keywords

Flexible application development, Web application development, Web Site Management, Agile Project development, User Stories, Best practice, Web Site evolution, PrimeTime, Content Management System.

Abstract

The development of Web sites and Web delivery systems and Content Management Systems (CMS) have historically been a process driven by technologists and technical advocates   rather than client orientated or user advocates.

There have been many techniques developed to improve the results and efficiency of the Web site and application development process.     This paper discusses a relatively relaxed and informal process where client administrators and users have steered the development and growth of a CMS system from a basic framework to a framework that offers rich features and many different configuration options - all driven by real needs as dictated and specified by users.

The benefits to this approach include the fact that forays into feature and application development are guided by real word application and the likelihood of immediate use and not exercises in Research and Development (R&D).   The development team focus only on priority features for clients.   Clients only pay for features they need.   All features and developments are retained on the code tree for reuse and extension in future - allowing a flexible framework for repurposing as needed.