Basecamp Changed My Design Process

February 2nd, 2009, Category: Design Process Misc

The last few months I have been experimenting with Basecamp Project Management and how it can help with my work flow, my findings; its changed my design process forever, improving communication with my clients and allowing me to easily run multiple design projects.

Project Management

Basecamp is a piece of project management software created by 37 Signals, it allows me to login to manage any of my projects from anywhere in the world with an Internet connected PC. It also allows my clients to login and check on their project progress, send a message, collaborate on a document (writeboard), upload files, make a to-do list or add a project milestone.

Design Process

When I get a new web project I add my new client, and add their project to Basecamp. This now means both parties can access one central hub of information. I usually write a quick introduction message to the client and email them informing them of their login details by email or phone, Obviously this type of system will not suit every client but my more tech savvy clients have taken to this system well.

To-do Lists

My design process consists of some linear phases; analysis, plan, build and test and I actually create a to-do list for each phase. A typical project will have four to-do lists and could look something like this:

Analysis

• Identify Business Goals
• Marketing Strategy
• Identify Unique Selling Point
• Gather Website Content
• Identify Users / Demographic

Plan

• Sitemap
• Siteframe
• Calls to Action
• Mood Board
• Graphical Mock Up
• Keyword Research

Build

• Database Setup
• CMS Installation
• Create CSS Layout
• Set up Navigation Structure
• Add Main Content
• Add Analytics

Test

• Valid XHTML
• Valid CSS
• Content Spelling
• Email Forms
• Web Browser Display
• Web Safe Images

I usually order my to-do lists and their items so that I can tick each completed task off and move onto the next project phase. This is where Basecamp really shines, it does one job really well, the to-do lists are fantastic.

At the end of each days work I send a message to the client through Basecamp informing them of project progress and informing them that they can check out the to-do lists if they wish to see how things are moving.

To-do list templates

Many web projects have a very similar method of work and this allows Basecamps to-do list templates to shine, you can create a template to be used for every project.

For instance, I have my basic analysis, plan, build and test to-do lists with some common tasks below them set up as a template, this way every project I start I have a basic designed structure to work from.

Assigning Tasks

I will often add tasks to to-do list that my clients must undertake, I can assign the client a task on the to-do list and assign a milestone, Basecamp will email the client to remind them I need this done to progress.

Writeboards

I usually create a Writeboard and record my findings for each task, for example in the analysis phase:

Analysis

• Identify Business Goals
• Marketing Strategy
• Identify Unique Selling Point
• Gather Website Content
• Identify Users / Demographic

I will add a writeboard called Business Goals, and record my findings, do remember this is shared with the client so from the very get-go if I am heading in the wrong direction or have mis understood a business goal the client can collaborate and make the correction.

Upload Documents

Basecamp allows all project parties to upload documents, I use this to my advantage in the planning stages of a web project:

Plan

• Sitemap
• Siteframe
• Calls to Action
• Mood Board
• Graphical Mock Up
• Keyword Research

I upload a siteframe and sitemap and send a message to the client to have a look over them, I’ll often ring the client up and explain my choices and run through the plans I have made, when creating a graphical mock up this is especially useful.

Basecamp Summary

Using Basecamp has really eased the task of running multiple projects at once and has also proved to be very easy to use for my clients. Having one central place for all messages, files , to-do lists and milestones that both parties can view anytime is a real bonus and one I recommend you should at least try.

I know theres a monthly charge and we all hate those, but for me it has changed my design process for the better and for my clients it brings real insight into what I am doing for their money and my progress with their projects.

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