Brett Meyer from ThinkShout presented an abbreviated version of his (second) session at the 2013 Nonprofit Technology Conference. A recording from PDXTech4Good, a free monthly gathering of nonprofits, techies and activists in Portland, Oregon. More information: PDXTech4Good.org

1. Need a New Website?
Wait! Have You Gone
Through a Discovery
Process?
Hashtag: #13NTCDisc
Sean Larkin & Brett Meyer

2. Session Subtitle:
Everybody wants a pony...
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)

3. But there are many types
of ponies.
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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4. So let’s avoid making
assumptions.
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)

5. Core concepts
• Websites are tools that promote behavioral change
• Content is King
• Understanding what’s at stake, and for whom
• The challenges of working with people and technology
• Waterfall vs. Agile in planning and development
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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6. Websites should promote behavior change
• Nobody outside of your office
understands 95% of what you
say at work
• The Curious, the Concerned,
and the Committed
• The “Ladder of Engagement”
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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7. Content is king
• There’s no substitute for good writing and compelling
multimedia
• Good content is often less expensive than functionality
• Content can be used across channels
• “Mobile First” = Design for real content
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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8. Let’s kick off Discovery
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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9. The Equation:
Your
organization’s
goals
+
Your
audiences’
motivations
+
Money &
Time
=
The content, design, and
functionality you release
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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10. Society for the Advanced
Awareness of Animals Riding
Other Animals
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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11. Information architecture
1. First pass at Entity Relationship Diagram
2. Site map development - Round #1Clickable
wireframes - Round #1Budget CheckDetailed
Entity Relationship Diagram/SpecificationClickable
wireframes - Round #2
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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12. Graphic Design
1. Design brief and style guideDesign in the
browserStyle tile development
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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13. Project Plan and Schedule
1. Finalized implementation budgetContent
matrixDevelopment schedule and project planQA
planTraining plan
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14. Kicking off development
• You can iterate on discovery documentation, but
version control it!
• Iterative development cycles with weekly
deliverables (Don’t cheat on this)
• Report back to internal stakeholders every week
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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15. Tools of the trade
• Note cards, note cards, and more note cardsA
camera....
• Google Docs (no MS Word Docs)
• Trello, Stormb
oard or StixyPinterestOmnigraffleFoundation
wireframesGitHub Pages
• ThinkShout’s collection of sample Discovery docs
Website Discovery Process (#13NTCDisc)
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