Drupal websites aren’t just a matter of downloading the package from drupal.org, whipping up a database and installing a stack of modules. The actual site build can often be the tip of a much larger iceberg involving multiple stakeholders, conflicting aims and much conversation.

This session will share some of the experiences of building a Drupal site in different organisational environments, focusing on the different approaches in the process – complete from idea to development to maintenance. I will share how knowledge of Drupal affects things like solution architecture and data modelling. Also, I will discuss the care and feeding of stakeholders/clients; how to get them involved, how to keep them happy, and how to let them down easy when necessary.

Topics include:

• Best practices for communication
• What makes a good brief
• Translating between clients, designers and developers
• What to expect in the life cycle of your project
• How to know you’re getting the best

This session will cover the more problematic parts of the project lifecycle, and discuss strategies designed to alleviate your project’s birth pains.