Visual Communications Project Brief S03/09373 26/03/2003 Version 1.0 Final For Distribution
Document Control Page Document Number: S03/09373 File Number: 03-301/01/00023 Document Name: Visual Communications Project Brief Date: 26 March 2003 Version: V1.0 Revision History: Date Version Name Comments Document Distribution: Date Name Date Name 26 March 2003 09373 Visual Communications Project Brief 1.0.doc Document Control
Document Approval Name Signature Date Of Issue Version Mike Allen Project Director Confidentiality The information contained in this document is confidential to the South Australian Government. It may not be disclosed, duplicated or used for any purpose in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of South Australian Government. Copyright This document is Copyright. You may not display, print or reproduce this material for your personal, non-commercial or commercial use. All rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and other intellectual property rights should be addressed to the Project Director, SAMIS Project, Department for Administrative and Information Services, Building Management, Asset Services, GPO Box 1072, Adelaide SA 5001. 26 March 2003 09373 Visual Communications Project Brief 1.0.doc Document Authorisation
Table of Contents 1 PURPOSE...1 2 BACKGROUND...1 3 PROJECT DEFINITION...1 3.1 Objectives... 1 3.2 Scope... 1 3.3 Scope Exclusions... 1 3.4 Project Deliverables... 2 3.5 Project Dependencies... 2 4 PROJECT SCHEDULE...3 5 QUALITY REQUIREMENTS...3 6 RISKS...3 7 PROJECT DELIVERY STRATEGY...4 8 RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS...4 9 COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES...4 26 March 2003 09373 Visual Communications Project Brief 1.0.doc Table of Contents
1 Purpose This document defines the body of work required by the Visual Communications Manager within the SAMIS project team in the build stage of the SAMIS project. This document also outlines the visual communications tasks as they relate to the various project activities. 2 Background During the design stage of the SAMIS project, the Communications Officer (CO) was responsible for establishing the Communications Plan for both the design and build stage of the project. As chair of the Communications Committee, the role of the CO was to define, implement, create and monitor communications initiatives Megan Short, the Communications Officer, was responsible for the design, development and direction of the SAMIS project website and the Project Office Resource Kit. The role also included brand development, web design and user interface design, graphic design and web development. The role of Communications Officer has been redefined and renamed to Visual Communications Manager (VCM). In the build stage, the requirement for the visual inputs will increase dramatically, hence the ownership of the Communications Plan has gone to the Project Operations and Support Manager and the focus of the VCM will be primarily on the interface design and the design of communications devices. 3 Project Definition 3.1 Objectives The objective of the visual communications activities is to help ensure the success of the project by communicating through visual means with all stakeholders, participants and users. 3.2 Scope The scope of the visual communications activity comprises the following: Web design and user interface design for all components of the SAMIS product suite. Brand management of both the project and the system being developed Graphic design of all communication materials for the project and product suite Web development to support the development of functionality within the project suite and the project website administration Communications Committee member to participate in the ongoing marketing and communications strategies and initiatives. 3.3 Scope Exclusions The Visual Communications Manager will not be responsible for Agency representation to their users however, the VCM does have an obligation to ensure that the agency representatives uphold and maintain the agreed visual image for the project and product suite. 26 March 2003 09373 Visual Communications Project Brief 1.0.doc Page 1
The VCM will not be responsible for advanced web development such as database query coding and advanced scripting. 3.4 Project Deliverables Successful management of the visual communications initiatives will result in a cohesive and effective suite of products and promotional materials. The VCM is responsible for the following initiatives: 3.4.1 Web Design & User Interface Design Establishment of creative brief for each of the system products Screen designs for each of the system products based on the creative briefs Monitor feedback and signoff process 3.4.2 Brand Management Introduction of system branding to stakeholders, project participants and users visual displays, explanatory fact sheets Ensure brand integrity for all materials distributed to immediate and wider audience. 3.4.3 Graphic Design Fact sheets: typesetting, diagrams and productions using the existing fact sheet template as required. Presentation kit: branded folder designed to hold communication materials tailored to any specific audience. PowerPoint slide template: master slide designed to support project presentations Promotional materials: communications initiatives as required 3.4.4 Web Development Implementation of screen design into cogn]i[to Support project web site administration and structural review as required Advise and support for lex]i[con development 3.4.5 Communications Committee Member Ensure that the integrity of the agreed visual image for the project and product suite is upheld and maintained Provide feedback and assistance with the ongoing marketing and communications strategies and initiatives. 3.5 Project Dependencies Other project streams must ensure that visual communication is considered throughout all activities targeted at stakeholders, participants and users. This includes giving consideration to: The availability of resources and technical support for both lex]i[con and cogn]i[to development The development of design parameters for any product needing visual inputs in association with the VCM, i.e.: what is to be included within a design. The availability of resources for design critique and validation. 26 March 2003 09373 Visual Communications Project Brief 1.0.doc Page 2
4 Project Schedule Web Design & User Interface Design port]e[co cogn]i[to lex]i[con pel]o[rus Creative brief Complete Complete End Feb TBD Screen designs Complete Mid Feb March TBD Brand Management Visual Displays Early Feb End Feb / Mar March / April TBD Web Site info Fact Sheet Distribution Graphic Design Presentation Folder PowerPoint slide template Web Development Implementation of screen design Structural review Admin Support Feb More specific fact sheets as required Inline with Aspect Mid March More specific fact sheets as required Early March Ongoing End March March As required Ongoing As required End March / April Mid March More specific fact sheets as required TBD pel]o[rus discussions with Planning SA will commence in late March to define its position and appearance within the SAMIS product suite. 5 Quality Requirements The following activities will need to be undertaken to ensure the quality and success of all visual communication activities; Peer reviews for the development and signoff of design concepts Acceptance testings of the user interfaces Consideration of the SAMIS Style Guide and the SAMIS Branding Guidelines 6 Risks Risk Consequences Mitigation Strategy Lack of objective design critique Limited availability of technical support Less than optimal design solution. Delays or compromised functionality particularly in cogn]i[to Establish and maintain feedback loop Maintain links with the Development Manager 26 March 2003 09373 Visual Communications Project Brief 1.0.doc Page 3
Expectations not aligned and product design not wholly accepted Re-work Loss of user buy in Maintain effective marketing and communications initiatives 7 Project Delivery Strategy Screen designs Research & Development using the internet and resource materials Idea generation (brainstorming) and broad concept development from paper to screen Development of two different visual designs using Photoshop Presentation and feedback from the core project team and advisors Further design refinement through iteration and signoff from the Project Director Brand management Assessment of all materials to be distributed through active participation of the Communications Committee and liaison with core team and agency representatives Amendments as necessary using Adobe Photoshop Web Development Implement screen designs using Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Dreamweaver and a text based code editor when necessary Training and support for project website administration as required. 8 Resource Requirements Paul Dawkins cogn]i[to project manager Matt Lyon - Technical support. Development advice Mike Allen Conceptual development & design direction 9 Communication Strategies To achieve an understanding of the processes and progress of the different components of the visual communications activities, the following initiatives will be undertaken; Weekly communications meeting Fridays 10-11am Weekly cogn]i[to status meeting Wednesdays 2-3 pm Website monthly progress updates; weekly agenda item in the communications meeting Proactive attendance and inclusion in related meetings and discussions as required Monthly E-Newsletter to promote branding and visual framework. Ongoing quality review cycle 26 March 2003 09373 Visual Communications Project Brief 1.0.doc Page 4