10 Essential Questions Before Your Next Project
Hey, devs! You’ve been there and done that, right? You start a web project with high hopes, only to find out later that you forgot about the users.
Or maybe you get so caught up in coding that you forget to check if that special new framework works with your old systems (cue worried sweat).
But listen up devs! Wasting hours conflict with plugins is so last season.
Today is all about avoiding wasting time and having a good going experience.
Consider this your roadmap, here’s ten important ones to ask yourself before you start your next outstanding project. Hold on tightly!
Have a BIG IDEA in mind? Let’s discuss what we can gain together.
10 Essential Questions
These are not the usual “what color button?” questions that arise.
This blog focuses on what separates “meh” projects from those that users enjoy and support on social media.
1. What problem are you solving? Why does it matter? (Think: Is this something people need? Or is it just another cat meme generator?)
2. Who are you building this for? (Knowing your ideal user is like a superpower. It affects everything.)
3. How will you measure success? More sales? More user engagement? Figure out your goals and track your progress!
4. What existing tech will you use? (Think about any roadblocks or compatibility issues. Nobody wants to explain to a client why their favorite plugin won’t work.)
5. What’s your budget and timeline? (Be realistic! Setting clear expectations avoids scope creep, that monster that devours projects whole.)
6. What kind of content management will you need? (Simple portfolio or a giant e-commerce store? Picking the right CMS is key.)
7. Can this project grow? (Think future success! Building something that can’t handle being popular is like baking a cake without a pan…messy.)
8. How will you keep things up-to-date? (Security patches, bug fixes, new content…plan for ongoing care.)
9. What’s your content strategy? (Fresh content keeps users coming back. Don’t let your project become a ghost town.)
10. What makes this project special? (Think cool features or an amazing user experience. How will you be different?)
Learning from the Best
Let’s explore how a few web legends solved these questions:
- Trello (project management): Trello hits question #2 (target audience). Their user-friendly interface and game-based approach are excellent for creative teams.
- Mailchimp (email marketing): Mailchimp succeeds at question #6 (content management needs). Even non-technical users may easily create beautiful campaigns using their drag-and-drop email builder.
Final Words
Want more awesome tips? Follow me for weekly developer goodness. And hey, if you need some expert help navigating project planning, I offer consulting services — just sayin’.
