Presented at Drupal on the Bayou on Dec. 9, 2011 http://drupalonthebayou.com/sessions/secret-decoder-ring-translating-client-speak-drupal-requirements

1. The Secret Decoder Ring:
Translating Client-Speak
Into Drupal Requirements
By Jeff Diecks
Senior Project Manager, Mediacurrent
Louisiana Drupal Users Group Organizer

2. “I need to build some
slides for Friday.”

3. “You’re going to build slides??!!”
Photo by playmasters.info

4. “It was a green slide with a child going down it.”
Original Artwork by Avery: “DON’T COPY!”

5. What am I building?
• Powerpoint presentation?
• The Playground Mahal?
• A blue slide?
• A green slide?

6. Let’s talk about
WHAT
not
HOW

7. I need some Powerpoint slides.
=
HOW

8. I need to talk to a group of people and
show them some pictures.
=
WHAT

9. Both perspectives are necessary.
Clients do things WITH a site
Developers do things TO a site

10. Developers debate, clients confused
Photo by icollector.com

11. Clients debate, developers confused
Photo by azcapitoltimes.com

13. Flexible

14. Configurable

15. Scalable

16. Dynamic

17. Interactive

18. Sizzle, Pop, Bright, Cl
ean, etc.

19. “Do you have what you need.”

20. “This is probably a global issue
but I haven't verified yet.”

21. “Thanks Andrew. You made all
my wildest dreams come true.
(Meaning that you addressed
all my "nice to haves".
Good stuff.)”

22. Got more?

23. @jeffdiecks
jeff.diecks@mediacurrent.com
Louisiana Drupal Users Group
groups.drupal.org/louisiana
meetup.com/louisianadrupal
9/22/11
Questions?