Web Site Engineering : Beyond Web Page Design

This book systematically addresses the management and technical issues that arise when Web sites move from "brochureware" to sophisticated application deployment platforms. Web Site Engineering builds on the best software engineering principles, defining an enhanced new model for process-driven Web site development. It shows how Web sites are similar to traditional development projects -- and how to account for the substantial differences that remain. It provides systematic insight into the oft-neglected issues of Web site development, including problem definition, concept exploration, feasibility studies, testing, operation, maintenance -- and beyond. For all Web administrators, designers and MIS managers seeking to build and successfully manage sites with real content and real, business-critical applications.

1. Introduction: Evolution of Web Site Design.
Web Design. Generations Don't Matter, Purpose Does. Initial Failure of Web RAD. Summary.

2. Software Engineering Principles and the Web.
Web Sites as Software. Current Practices in Web Development. The Need for Process. Process Models. Beyond Process. Web Engineering Is Not Software Engineering. Summary.

3. The Medium of the Web.
Networked Communication. Overview of a Web Session. Components of the Web Medium. Summary.

4. Problem Definition, Concept Exploration, and Feasibility Analysis.
Understanding the Problem. Writing the Problem Definition. Concept Exploration and Feasibility—The Whirlpool Approach. Answering the Problem Definition: The Overall Purpose. Establishing a Measurement of Success. Logistics. Summary.

5. Requirements Analysis and Specification.
Classifying the Site. Requirements Analysis. Specification. Estimation and Resource Requirements. Conclusion.

6. Designing the Web Site and System.
What Does Web Design Include? Information Design. Web Site: Application versus Information. Program Design. Structured Design. Choosing a Design Approach. Navigation Design. Graphic Design. Network/Server Design. Summary.

7. Implementation: Building a Web Site.
Programming Technologies. Client-Side Technologies. When to Use Client-Side Technologies. Server-Side Technologies. When to Use Server-Side Technologies. Content Technologies. Development Tools. Assembling the Beta Site. The Implementation Process. Developer Test. Summary.

8. Web Testing.
Issues with Testing. Realistic Testing. Test Plans and Procedures. Functionality Testing. Content Testing. User Test: Usability and Beta Testing. The Result of Testing. Summary.

9. Post-Development: Promotion and Maintenance.
Promotion and How People Find Sites and Information. Maintenance. Using Feedback to Grow or Modify a Web Site. Summary.

10. Beyond Web Site Engineering.
Real Life: That Which Can't Be Planned For. Defending Web Projects. Politics. Web Sites Affect Organizations. Staying In Bounds. Summary.

Index.