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Our team of Business Analysts carry out detailed client project requirements gathering and produce functional specifications.
They document user journeys using wireframes for use by PureNet’s development teams as part of eCommerce and web solution client project delivery and implementation.
Even the most knowledgeable business analyst can encounter problems throughout this process. To help counter this PureNet’s expert team have this advice:
1. Know the business problem you are trying to solve. Express it as a positive statement and always measure what functionality you are trying to achieve against this statement. That way, as the scope of the project begins to creep up, you can spend budgets on things which will give the client the best returns.
2. Engage with all levels of employee. Work with the staff that will do the work. Often these are the people with the most useful suggestions for improving a particular process as they do the job every day. By not engaging with them you risk missing potentially the most valuable contributors to the success of the project!
3. Don’t try to run before you can walk. Asking for advanced functionality whilst missing the most important, basic requirements that underpin a good eCommerce site is a no go. Succeed well at the basics with your new eCommerce site. Increase traffic and conversions and then look to re-invest in more advanced functionality.
4. It might be worth considering taking a phased approach. The chances are, if your current site is outdated, that a basic eCommerce site done well following a good design can generate more revenue than your current site. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to get this to market quicker and bolting on additional functionality at a later date, post go live, rather than trying to shoe horn everything into one launch and missing out on those quick wins that you could have taken advantage of by launching a smaller site sooner.
5. Think as if you are a user. Try to avoid (if you can!) doing something just because the boss wants or likes it. Use analytics stats to back up your thoughts, claims and ideas. Justify your rationale behind each requirement and obtain feedback from current users if necessary. Think this might not be possible? Incentivise them – offer a promotion code for those willing to do so.
6. Align your requirements and objectives for any new web project undertaken with the wider business objectives. Digital Marketing should now be part of a much wider integrated strategy as opposed to a standalone entity, this is where our (PureNet’s) expertise can help.
7. If your eCommerce agency counters a requirement and suggests alternatives, take on board their comments, especially if it is in regards to usability or the user journey. eCommerce has a host of best practice guidelines to be followed and adhered to and straying from them could impact on the success of any new launch. After all, it’s in your agency’s best interest to make your new site as successful and user friendly as possible. It will generate you more revenue to reinvest in future site enhancements
8. Prototype wherever possible. Get users or even acquaintances to try out a real world task through your site. This will allow you to gain invaluable insight.