Information Systems Analysis and Design Group Project: Analysis and re-design of the "Stephen Seitz Real Estate Business" website.
The Original Task Order · The System Analysis Report · The Scope and Feasibility Analysis Report
The Project Ghant Charts Report · The System Design Report · The Project and Team Assessment Report
The Initial Analysis and Re-design Proposal
Last Update December 5, 2001
BAC had evaluated SSRE’s website at www.stephenseitz.com
Our analysis was as follows:
- The site needs a more professional look.
- The site needs better navigation.
- Color of background is terrible.
- Needs an interface so that when sent to an external link can get back to home page without using the back button.
- Site needs a direct search for homes.
After speaking with Mr. Seitz, he said he would like to see the following enhancements:
- Would like to have his picture and e-mail address displayed on all pages.
- Would like to have a fade in/out picture of houses---see www.leahosea.com as an example.
- Would like to have a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on the website for FSBO, Sellers Process, and Buyers Process.
- Would like to expand his website to include an introduction to the home buying process to educate and target first time buyers.
- Would like hypertext links for services related to real estate (i.e. Mortgage Calculator, Seller’s Net Sheet, Rent vs. Buy Calculator, Map Quest, and Tax Assessment Records.)
- Would like a password protected “client site” that allows the client to view their present state in the buying or selling process.
Website Mission
SSRE’s website is a business site with two primary objectives: conveying useful real estate information to potential and existing clients, while promoting Stephen and Charlene Seitz as realtors. This site needs to have a professional look, and be able to satisfy two audiences: those who are inexperienced with real estate transactions as well as people who are experienced with such transactions. On this site, users navigate through a menu interface to reach different sites regarding the real estate process, while promoting Stephen and Charlene Seitz as their realtor representatives.
Design and Layout
The site will be created using Microsoft FrontPage and enhanced with color graphics, in addition to different font sizes. The images that will be used on the website will be copied from Prudential Carrathers Real Estate, and the photos will be scanned in from personal pictures or taken from the multiple lists of homes on the web. Most of the content will be provided by SSRE, however some content will be developed by BAC and then discussed with SSRE before BAC converts to an electronic format.
The web pages will be designed to meet various technological characteristics such as what browser, what connection speeds, what content and information will keep users coming back. Each page will focus on a single topic, with similar menu layouts, and will be designed to maximize the amount of information while minimizing the size of the page.
Frames will be used in the design, consisting of a top header that will have the navigation at the bottom. Although the website will be designed for potential and existing clients, anyone who is familiar with using computer and the Internet can visit the site and will be able to navigate the site without any knowledge of real estate. The site will be developed to conform with 508 compliance guidelines.
Navigation
The overarching goal of the website is to be aesthetically pleasing to the viewer and easy to navigate, while providing potential clients with information on buying and selling real estate. Navigation will be consistent throughout SSRE's web site, by using hypertext links. For the user to be able to navigate through the site, appropriate task needs will be established. The site will be organized in a manner that is self-explanatory. All users need do to move through the site is click on links, which are underlined, to access a certain page. This site will be developed using the top-down approach. By clicking on links on the home page top border, users have the opportunity to navigate to the desired page.
In-Person Meeting/Information Gathering Interview Outline
- Interviewee: Stephen Seitz Interviewer
- Interviewer: Charlene Seitz, BAC Consulting Inc.
- Interview Location: UMBC Computer Room
- Appointment Date: Time- 6PM to 7PM
Meeting Objectives
- Obtain Agreement on task at hand:
- What data is required/need to collect:
- Establish time frames for pilot and finished product:
| Agenda | Approximate Time |
| Introduction | 2 minutes |
| Background on Project | 4 minutes |
| Overview of Interview | 1 minute |
| Topics to be Covered | 2 minutes |
| BAC, Inc. Questions | 10 minutes |
| Summary of Major Points | 2 minutes |
| Questions from Client | 5 minutes |
| Closing | 1 minutes |
General observations
Unresolved Issues/Topics not covered:
Questions to the client, Stephen Seitz
- Are there certain items that you want to keep on SSRE’s web site, or can BAC pick and choose which items to keep and dispose of? BAC Inc CAN PICK AND CHOOSE
- Can we have a copy of your existing site to re-use certain items? YES, I WILL MAKE A COPY AND GIVE IT TO CHARLENE
- Is there any marketing material that SSRE or Prudential has that we can utilize on your site? THERE IS LISTING PRESENTATION THAT PRUDENTIAL PROVIDES, I WILL ALSO CHECK TO SEE WHAT OTHER MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE
- What is your opinion on using frames on your web site to keep you picture and e-mail number on the screen at all times? I LIKE THE IDEA OF USING FRAMES TO KEEP THE PICTURE AND E-MAIL ON SCREEN AT ALL TIMES
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