Once you have agreed to the technical specifications report, the construction of the site commences. Construction is characterised by weekly meetings at which the web developer reports on progress against the schedule. The rules and guidelines for managing this stage should have been stipulated in the contract.  

In particular, the following should have been detailed:

• how often meetings are to be held - recommend weekly
• who will attend them
• their roles
• who sets the agenda and what that is
• who takes the minutes
• how to resolve disputes.  

It is at these project meetings that any variations to the agreed deliverables, schedule, costs or required resources are raised and resolved.  

What to do

Some advice about the managing the web developers through this stage: 

• never cancel project meetings - avoid the temptation to postpone meetings even when the project is proceeding well 
• ensure that suitably detailed minutes are taken at the meetings - they should record any changes to the plan
• ensure that the developer makes available appropriate personnel at relevant meetings - eg the graphic designer when discussing the design of the site
• establish an email list for all members of the team and insist it be used as the means of communication - some members of the management team may be annoyed at receiving numerous emails that do not always directly relate to them, but it is important that every attempt is made to keep all members informed
• avoid one-to-one contact with the developer via email or the phone by using the group email address - all members of both teams should be kept abreast of the developments without playing catch-up at every meeting
• ensure that the agreed testing regime is carried out
• do not rush into signing-off at the milestones - be sure you are satisfied with the deliverables.

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