# Drupal Project Check List #

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INTRODUCTION

- This outline is a high level Drupal project check list with External Resources useful for small to medium sized projects
- This URL: http://checkvist.com/checklists/61331
- Posted by @JohnWalling
   - Twitter @johnwalling
   - http://groups.drupal.org/user/3040  (jdwalling)
   - Irc://freenode/drupal-seattle  (jwalling)
   - Last backup (due: 2013-12-26)
- HELP Reference: Type ? or goto http://checkvist.com/auth/help
- To modify this check list, export it or copy it to your account.
- Check list sequence:
   - Requirements > Analysis > Specifications > Construction > Testing > Production (with training) > Maintenance
   - Items can be rearranged and expanded into a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
   - Note: although the list is sequenced, the processes are usually non-linear and iterative, especially for Agile projects

PROJECT CHECK LIST

- Business case made in client organization for new website
   - __ Reviews Mission Statement
   - __ Updates Business Analysis and SWOT analysis (see External Resources)
   - __ Updates organizational strategy for website
   - __ Identifies stake-holders and project liaison
   - __ Records website objectives to support strategic goals
   - __ Approximates website budget and time line
   - __ Prepares Project Charter to scope project and get authorization to proceed
- Client requirements provided in deliverable documents
   - __ Existing web site
   - __ Example web sites
   - __ Inventory and audit content (see external resources)
   - __ Mockup of page layouts
   - __ Mockup of site navigation with sitemap
   - __ Content requirements with examples
   - __ Functional requirements with examples
   - __ Design requirements (look and feel, layout, graphics, User Interface/User eXperience)
   - __ System requirements (hardware, software, interfaces, protocols, etc.)
   - __ Request for proposal (RFP)
   - __ Contract or Letter of agreement (LOA)
- Project management plans and resources for development
   - __ Identify top level stakeholders #2013-Q3
      - __ Product Owner(s): Features and Scope
      - __ Project Manager: Budget
      - __ Technical Team Leader(s): Time
   - __ Assign project team and client liaison
   - __ Select project management and development tools (DrupaKata, Dojo, version control, etc.)
   - __ Select project method (Scrum, Agile, Hybrid SDLC, ad hoc, etc.)
   - __ Schedule regular meetings with agendas and action items
   - __ Create statement of work - who does what
   - __ Develop project workflow and project documentation (DrupalKata)
   - __ Perform and record risk analysis (monitor risk thru all stages)
   - __ Prepare Software Quality Plan (SQP)
- Requirements analysis and documention for proposal and construction specifications
   - __ Create project scope
      - __ Define Minimum Viable Project (MVP) Phase 1 - Drupal Out of the Box
   - __ Create Information Architecture (IA) from functional and design specs (module selection for functional requirements as applied to wireframe)
   - __ Create matrix of modules and functions for IA specs
   - __ Create matrix of content requirements and content types for IA specs
   - __ Create matrix of content types and content fields for IA specs
   - __ Create vocabularies and terms for IA specs
   - __ Create matix of user roles and permissions for IA specs
   - __ Create matrix of sitemap  and content types for IA specs
   - __ Create URL path structures for primary and secondary links for navigation/IA specs
   - __ Create navigation specs (using URL paths, menus, vocabularies, views, node reference) for IA specs
   - __ Create wireframes of most important pages for IA specs
   - __ Create functional specs from requirements
   - __ Create design specs from requirements (look and feel, layout, graphics, theme selection, UI/UX)
   - __ Create system specs (Identify website platforms and software for development and deployment)
   - __ Create content migration instructions (who and how)
   - __ Create deployment instructions for construction, testing, and production
   - __ Create roadmap for delivering all phases (if multi-phase)
   - __ Create performance and capacity specs
   - __ Create security specifications for configuring website and server
   - __ Create site actions/process workflow specs for performing related user functions
   - __ Create Design Guide to coordinate design elements
   - __ Create Project Estimate of time and cost from requirements analysis
   - __ Create Proposal (Draft for feedback & Final) include updated acceptance plan & roadmap
   - __ Create Contract or Letter of agreement
   - __ Create client acceptance plan (update after requirements analysis is complete)
- Construction
   - __ Acquire platform(s) needed for development
   - __ Install/configure support software on platform(s) - e.g. MySQL, PHP, Apache, memory, cache, etc.
   - __ Install/configure Drupal on platform(s) - core, modules, theme(s), htaccess, files, Cache, performance
   - __ Integrate applications with version control system
   - __ Configure modules and features per IA specs
   - __ Configure content types and content fields per IA specs
   - __ Configure views, blocks, panels, & groups per IA specs
   - __ Configure vocabularies and terms per IA specs
   - __ Configure user roles and permissions per IA specs
   - __ Configure navigation for primary and secondary links, using sitemap, content types and URL paths per IA specs
   - __ Configure page layouts from wireframes, content types, sitemap, & navigation specs
   - __ Layout theme with graphics per design specs and page layouts
   - __ Configure modules per site actions/process workflow/IA specs
   - __ Migrate content for testing (client may be responsible for bulk content migration)
   - __ Install security specifications
- Integration and testing
   - __ Acquire platform(s) used for integration and testing
   - __ Integrate applications with version control system
   - __ Integrate services (cron, SEO, maps, payments, mailings, Mollom, search, social network)
   - __ Verify functional requirements are met
   - __ Verify design requirements are met (UI/UX: User interface/User experience)
   - __ Verify Software Quality Plan is met
   - __ Verify services work as expected
   - __ Verify admin functions work as expected
   - __ Verify security measures provide protection
- Production
   - __ Acquire platform(s) needed for production
   - __ Integrate applications with version control system
   - __ Verify client domain name is registered and working
   - __ Deploy new website and backup old website / plan fallback if needed
   - __ Install release candidate for capacity testing, performance tuning, solicit feedback
   - __ Install general release, announce to the public, and push SEO for traffic
- Client training and user documentation (before general release)
   - __ Create Drupal roles: admin, editors, contributors, members, etc.
   - __ Document tasks for roles and functions
   - __ Document security procedures for passwords, etc.
   - __ Document content workflow for performing related tasks
   - __ Document user issues tracking
   - __ Document membership functions
   - __ Document quality assurance (GIGO: garbage in, garbage out)
   - __ Document functions specific to the organization
- Maintenance procedures performed by client or contractor (before general release)
   - __ Assign Admin roles
   - __ Document update and upgrade procedures
   - __ Document procedures to track maintenance issues
   - __ Document procedures to monitor for security breaches
   - __ Document procedures to monitor services and feeds for problems
   - __ Document how to monitor for spam and take corrective actions
   - __ Document backup and recovery procedures
- Client acceptance
   - __ Get sign offs for final specs (draft proposal to final proposal)
   - __ Get stage sign offs (is project on track?)
   - __ Get phase sign offs (for muli-phase projects, is phase done?)
   - __ Get final sign off (is project done?)

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

- Client resources
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_analysis  Business Analysis
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_inventory  Content Inventory
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis  SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_case  Use case (formal)
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_story  User story (informal)
   - http://drupal.org/node/122018  Drupal glossary
   - http://drupal.org/drupal-services  Drupal services
   - http://www.chapterthree.com/blog/nica-lorber/how-create-winning-website 
How to Create a Winning Website #2013-Q4
   - http://www.cmswebsiteservices.com/drupal-rfp-questionnaire  Drupal RFP Questionnaire
   - http://www.drupalradar.com/what-do-drupal-shops-charge  Survey of 9 drupal shops comparing rates
   - http://www.drupalsn.com/companies  Drupal Companies & Freelancers
   - http://www.freeformsolutions.ca/en/we-dont-hate-rfps  RFP alternative
   - http://www.growingventuresolutions.com/blog/inventory-and-audit-content-views  Inventory and audit content with views
   - http://www.heraprocess.org/hiring_contractor  Hiring contractor
   - http://www.heraprocess.org/manage_contractor  Managing contractor
   - http://www.listology.com/jwalling/list/drupal-beginner-resources  Drupal Beginner Resources
   - http://www.listology.com/jwalling/list/drupal-showcases-and-portfolios  Drupal portfolios
   - http://www.listology.com/jwalling/list/drupal-web-sites-case-studies  Drupal web sites with case studies
   - http://www.metaltoad.com/blog/top-5-skills-practices-you-need-be-good-project-manager  5 PM skills
   - http://www.mydrupal.com/drupal-services  directory of Drupal developers
   - http://www.nten.org/blog/2007/11/19/how-to-find-and-hire-a-website-consultant  Hiring a consultant
   - http://www.palantir.net/blog/modest-proposals-scoping-third-party-integrations  Scoping Third-Party Integrations #2013-Q4
   - http://thinkshout.com/blog/2012/12/gabe/7-steps-pain-free-process-improvement-growing-nonprofits  Process improvement
- General project management resources
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_management  Agile management
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_requirements  Functional requirements
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_project_management  PM glossary
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_project_management_topics  PM topics
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requirements_analysis  Requirements analysis
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrum_(development)  Scrum development (Agile)
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_Development_Life_Cycle  SDLC (typically Waterfall)
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfall_model  Waterfall model
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_Breakdown_Structure  Work Breakdown Structure, WBS
   - http://www.agilecookbook.com/  Agile cookbook
   - http://www.bluesparklabs.com/blog/drupalcon-london-drupal-estimation-techniques-bof  Estimation Techniques BoF
   - http://www.crisp.se/scrum/checklist  Scrum Checklist
   - http://www.databasesoup.com/2013/03/20-rules-of-software-consulting.html  Rules of Software Consulting #2013-Q1
   - http://www.heraprocess.org/  simple 'ready to go' open process framework for web team management
   - http://www.metaltoad.com/blog/pnw-drupal-summit-session-checklists-effective-project-management  Checklists for Effective Project Management
   - http://www.metaltoad.com/blog/project-manager-bill-rights  Project Manager Bill of Rights #2013-Q3
   - http://www.planningpoker.com/  Estimating time and cost for completing projects
   - http://www.projectreference.com/  PM references
- Website architecture and design resources
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development  Agile development
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_architecture  Information Architecture, IA
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interaction_design  Interaction design, IxD
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_experience_design  User eXperience Design, UXD
   - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Website_wireframe  Website Wireframe (used in IA)
   - http://iainstitute.org/  Institute of Information Architecture
   - http://placekitten.com/  kittens as picture place holders
   - http://www.artisteer.com/?p=drupal_themes  Artisteer
   - http://www.lullabot.com/blog/drupalcon-information-architecture-architecture  +++
      - http://civicactions.com/blog/slides_from_information_architecture_to_drupal_architecture
   - http://civicactions.com/topic/information_architecture +++
   - https://gomockingbird.com/  Wireframes on the fly
   - http://www.usabilityfirst.com/usability-methods/  Usability methods
- Drupal project management & development resources
   - DrupalCon Portland 2013 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpeDXSh4nHjRlZKs7cj2L_kLI5osP5ERc
      - Behavioral Driven Development http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_35hrRSVog #2013-Q3
   - http://civicactions.com/estimating-worksheet  Estimating worksheet
   - http://davehall.com.au/blog/dave/2013/07/15/automated-security-reviews-drupal-sites  Automated Security Reviews of Drupal Sites #2013-Q3
   - http://drupal.org/documentation/build  Site Building
   - http://drupal.org/documentation/install  Installation Guide
   - http://drupal.org/node/59680  phpinfo()
   - http://drupal.org/node/302232  Acronyms and expressions used on Drupal.org
   - http://drupal.org/node/413910  Wellstone Action: A Drupal Process Case Study
   - http://drupal.org/requirements  System requirements for Drupal
   - http://drupalpcicompliance.org/  Drupal PCI Compliance White Paper #2013-Q3
   - http://dev.nodeone.se/en/drupalizing-a-web-project  Drupalizing a web project
   - http://groups.drupal.org/node/203933  Wireframes for Content Staging System
   - http://palantir.net/blog/developing-drupal-sites-plan-or-perish  Build Spec template #2013-Q3
   - https://portland2013.drupal.org/node/1483 Train-wrecks and Ugly-Baby Meetings #2013-Q3
   - https://portland2013.drupal.org/session/science-guessing-drupal-estimation-techniques-project-managers #2013-Q3
   - http://www.atendesigngroup.com/blog/creating-blueprints-drupal-content  Creating Blueprints for Drupal Content
   - http://www.digett.com/blog/07/09/2013/testing-checklist-drupal-website  Testing checklist for a Drupal website #2013-Q3
   - http://www.dogstar.org/drupal/agile-timebox  An Examiner.com Agile Timebox
   - http://www.dominiquedecooman.com/blog/drupal-enterprise-quality-experience
   -  http://www.dominiquedecooman.com/blog/drupal-7-tip-how-automate-and-control-your-go-live-checklist
   - http://www.drupalcreations.com/drupal-project-management  PM tips
   - http://www.drupalcreations.com/blog/drupal-specifications  Drupal specifications
   - http://www.erpal.info/  ERPAL project management #2013-Q3
   - http://www.freeformsolutions.ca/en/fragile  Fragile: an agile project management tool
      - http://www.freeformsolutions.ca/en/agile-project-planning-chapters-and-stories
      - http://www.freeformsolutions.ca/en/features-fragile-project-management-tool
   - http://www.freelock.com/blog/john-locke/2013-05/planning-successful-projects-user-story #2013-Q2
   - http://www.freelock.com/blog/john-locke/2013-08/managing-change-and-risk-drupal-hosting #2013-Q3
   - http://www.freelock.com/blog/timon/2013-08/note-people-planning-development-projects #2013-Q3
   - http://www.lullabot.com/articles/art-estimation  The Art of Estimation
      - http://www.lullabot.com/articles/art-estimation#comment-8722  Spreadsheet in Numbers, Open Office and Excel formats
   - http://www.lullabot.com/articles/mistakes-agencies-make-story-three-acts  Mistakes Agencies Make: A Story in Three Acts
   - http://www.lullabot.com/podcasts/drupal-voices-191-seth-brown-on-project-management-tips-and-qualifying-clients  Project Management Tips Podcast
   - http://www.lullabot.com/articles/mistakes-agencies-make-story-three-acts
   - http://www.mediacurrent.com/blog/help-ensure-your-website-project-success #2013-Q1
   - http://www.metaltoad.com/blog/mastering-metal-toad-project-life-cycle  Project Life Cycle
   - http://www.mrconnerton.com/feature-driven-development  Feature Driven Development
   - http://www.opensourcery.com/blog/andrea-beithon/prototyping-future-decline-static-mockup-rise-browser-wireframes  Prototyping -  part 1 o 6 #2013-Q3
      - http://www.opensourcery.com/blog/andrea-beithon/prototyping-future-decline-static-mockup-rise-browser-definitions  Definitions
      - http://www.opensourcery.com/blog/andrea-beithon/prototyping-future-positive-impacts  Positive impacts
      - http://www.opensourcery.com/blog/andrea-beithon/prototyping-future-pain-points Pain points
      - http://www.opensourcery.com/blog/andrea-beithon/prototyping-future-prototype-process The prototype is the process
      - http://www.opensourcery.com/blog/andrea-beithon/prototyping-future-what-lies-ahead  What lies ahead
   - http://www.planningdrupalsites.com/  Drupal Websites: A Planner's Guide (becoming a book summer 2011)
   - http://www.pingv.com/blog/project-of-10000-outcomes-part-one-estimating-fixed-bid-projects  Estimating Fixed Bid Projects #2013-Q3
   - http://www.raincitystudios.com/blogs-and-pods/francis-pilon/estimating-worksheet   Recommendation Estimate

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