The Web Designer Wheel is a simple process model that describes in five steps how to manage a small web project and relations with client. This approach allows you to work better, set and respect milestones and establish profitable and long-term relations with your clients. Here is the process:

The model

Requirements Definition: in this first step you have to “translate” all customer requests in requirements and features to implement. You can elaborate a list with a certain number of items that describe what you have to do.

Planning: for each item you identified in the previous step, plan a start date and finish date. Prepare a daily to-do list to set milestones and measure your progresses during development and test phase.

Development and Test: write and test implemented features. Proceed following the daily plan you elaborated in the previous step. Measure your progress day by day and re-plan activities if it’s necessary. Communicate weekly to client your progresses or significant changes about the release date of the project.

Check: do a final “massive” test stressing all implemented features. Do a final check involving client.

Release and Follow-up: release the final product and monitor the follow-up. Get client feedback.