How to Make an e-Commerce Project Plan

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR E-COMMERCE PROJECT PLAN PREPARATION

By Juan Raul Ll. Relloso

Introduction

This is prepared to facilitate the preparation of “e-Commerce Project Plan” of Business Students in the College of Commerce. The focus therefore of the preparation is two-folds one is the business side and the other is IT.

Inasmuch as it would take a great deal of time to learn the technical side of the development of e-Commerce initiative (programming etc.), the subject focuses on the core competence of the business students, the business issues. Though, tons of topics on IT are introduced in the class but the mere purpose of that is to be able to appreciate the whole subject. Beyond the core competence that needed to be developed, outsourcing of expertise are introduced in the formulation of the e-Commerce Project Plan. The expertise that is being developed to business students are the skills to identify, evaluate, and select from among the numerous providers in the IT industry the one who could provide the best service at a reasonable cost.

Just like any other project of magnitude, it must be completed within budget and within a specific time; it is usually, but not always, carried out but once. Examples include building a new incubation area for entrepreneur students; introducing a new product; developing a computerized accounting system; and preparing a major concert.

Each example shares certain characteristics that distinguish them from ongoing activities of management. Each of these projects has a specific start and finish. Some of activities can be carried out independently of others, and some can only begin on completion of other activities. And each activity in the project requires specific time expenditure.

e-Commerce Project Plan

I. Introduction

1. How did you come up with the idea of engaging in e-Commerce?
2. Who influence/convince you in considering e-Commerce as a strategy for expansion or the business model for your business?
3. What were the first few hurdles that you have to pass to formally rollout activities for the e-Commerce initiatives?


II. Business Opportunities

1. What are the business opportunities that would open up when we adopt e-Commerce in our business?

2. How much increase in revenues and profits would it generate?

III. Project Objectives

1. What is the project trying to achieve and why?

2. What are included and not included in the project?

III. Success Criteria

1. What are the bases for success in setting-up the e-Commerce initiative for your business?

2. Explain in details, the bases for success and why are these selected among the rest of the possibilities?

IV. Site Map

Functional Specification

1. What are the functional components of your site? Describe the interaction of the components in the site. Use the Action Response table for clarity.

Description Action Response Technical
Text ‘Search’ hyperlink On mouse click Go to section 1.1.1
Text ‘Add’ hyperlink On mouse click Go to section 1.1.2 UserID needs to be passed in the URL string to pre-fill the Add Paper form

Technical Specification

The assumption is that the technical requirements will be outsourced to credible service providers.

However, a thorough study and assessment will be made on the top three providers in order to ensure the quality development of the e-Commerce initiative of the firm.

The following questions need to be answered:

a. Will this be Microsoft-based or Linux?

b. What will be the minimum requirement of the company to be outsourced?

c. Show the comparative analysis of the three companies being considered to be outsourced. ( Use this matrix below)

Criteria Company A Company B Company C
1. Price
2. Software support
3. Hardware support
4. Network resources to support your goals
5. Experience
6. Technical staff
7. Etc.

Make sure you explain why you have chosen a particular company and the importance of your choice to the attainment of the project objectives and the organizational goals of your firm.

VII. Content Plan

1. What are the sections of your site? Describe them.

2. What is the significance of these sections to the attainment of the objectives of the site and the e-Commerce initiative?

3. What are the success criteria for each of the sections?

4. What are your e-Commerce fulfillment policies? Explain each policy.

5. How are the disclaimers, terms and conditions formulated?

VIII. Marketing Initiatives

Detail here any marketing initiatives related to the launch of the site that are important to consider in the delivery of the site e.g. hard deadlines, events which are likely to cause spikes in traffic etc.

• Every piece of paper that leaves your office must carry your web address.
• “FREEBIES”
• Online classified advertising.
• Buy a targeted e-mail list.
• Don’t promote beyond your capacity to fulfill.
• Integrate your web promotion into your traditional business marketing.

IX. Testing Plan

Check the following:
o user Acceptance/Usability testing
o Functional testing
o Operational testing
o Scenario testing/Load testing
o Security / Penetration attack testing
o Copy proofing

X. Site updates and Maintenance

Define here the level of service that you are planning to give post-launch.

XI. Budget

1. What are your budget allocations to ensure full implementation of the project?

2. Provide a gantt chart of the activities.

XII. Control

1. How will you monitor the performance of your team?

2. What instruments or strategies will be used to ensure compliance to project plan?

References:

Web Project Management by Friedlein, Ashley
The e-Commerce by Rosen, Anita
e-Commerce Workbook by Toral, Janet
An IBM Guide to Doing Business on the
Internet by Bonnett, Kendra

How Do We Effectively Assess Internet Resources

We should ask ourselves what is being targeted by the web page in terms of the market segment based on the content, graphics and style.

Does it address our own needs and requirements? Does the site give the user the flexibility to browse and identify the resources needed?

Reading these resources from articles, case studies to white papers, we should look into the following:

· Author

· Does the author have the expertise on the subject?

o We should check the background and see whether he has enough exposure and experience to make the claim.

o Previous positions in companies would give you a hint as to where he is good at.

o Awards and citations of authorized government and private bodies would also help in supporting his expertise.

o Books he authored or articles he wrote in newspapers and magazines.

· The source of the site would also be a clue as to what information is available. (e.g. gov for government, .com for business, .edu for academe)

After validating the credibility of the author, we should start analyzing the content of the page. Is it accurate? Are there in-depth discussions and presentations of facts and evidences? Is it current? Are there links that supports the information in the page/s?

How is the site laid out? Is it easy to navigate?

Three criteria to consider when analyzing the site

I.Visual Design and Navigation

Visual design is tha appearance of the site. It's more tham just a pretty homepage and it doensn't have to be cutting edge and trendy. Good visual design is high qua lity, appropriate, and relevant for the audience and the message it is supporting. It communicates a visual experience and may even take your breath away.

II.Content and Navigation

Content is the information provided on the site. It is not just a text., but music, sound, animation, or video -- anything that communicates a sites body knowledge. Good content should be engaging , relevant, and appropriate for the audience. You can tell it's been developed for the web because it's clear and concise and it works in the medium. Good content takes a stand. It has a voice, a point of view. It may be informative, useful, or funny bit it always leaves you wanting more.

III. Criteria for both categories: Structure and Navigation

Structure and navigation refers to the framework of a site, the organization of content, the prioritization of information, and the method in which you move through the site. Sites with good structure and navigation are consistent, intuitive, and transparent. They allow you to form a mnetal model of the information provided, where to find things, and what to go quickly and offers easy access to the breath and depth of the site's content.