Vol. 2, No. 24
TODAY'S LESSON: Web Teams

Whether you're building a simple site for your weekend softball team, or setting up a full-blown e-commerce site to sell bobbleheads, it's nice to have a few extra hands in the development process. Of course, the first thing you should realize about working on a Web team is that someone has to be the leader. It just doesn't work if everyone wants to be the boss. Remember Van Halen with David Lee Roth? Possibly the best band ever. But before you could say hot for teacher, bossy Mr. Roth was a bust, and Van Hagar was on the college circuit.

If you are not leader material, there are plenty of other roles to assume in a Web development project. You could be the graphics guru or the HTML specialist, for instance. Or how about bug checker and beta tester? And if none of those roles suit you, how does "Chief Barrista" sound? After all, somebody has to make the triple-mochas if your project is going to get finished on time.

>>> Team Roles <<<

The team approach to website building allows you to work with people from different Web disciplines, and the process of bringing together a group of very diverse people to work together on a common goal can be very rewarding. But the first step is to figure out what role you can play in a Web project.

Creating a Web team requires some truly creative thinking. Here's an overview of what goes in to assembling a Web team:

Finding and Keeping a Company Web Team

And here are some articles that take a closer look at some of the roles you can play in the Web development process.

"Project Manager"
The project manager directs the building of a website from the first brainstorming session to the site's launch and wrap up. It's up to the project manager to keep the process on track and the trains running on time.

"HTML Guru"
The HTML lead will be in charge of preparing HTML code and links for all pages on your website. Your project lead will supervise your HTML lead in performing his or her duties.

"Creative Director"
As a graphic specialist, you ensure that the images load quickly and look good at the standard 72 dots per inch (DPI) limit of browser display. The creative director will also design small, fast-loading images that visitors will look for to help them navigate the site.

>>> Web Jobs <<<

If you're already on a Web team, but have been thinking about making a move, you should do some research before making the jump. First off, there aren't many jobs out there right now for Web developers, and the ones that are available require specialized skills. Do you have what it takes?

"Web Jobs"
Locating your dream job in the Web industry can be tough. To help demystify the meanings of job titles in this ever changing industry, we've put together this special package of job descriptions.

"Freelance Web Work"
Is the team environment just not for you? Understood. Not everyone likes to share their ideas with knuckle-head bosses that just don't get it.

1. If you were to look at a job description for a project manager, the laundry list of requirements would probably read like this: Ability to manage a team; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Strong attention to detail; Ability to create schedules and budgets; Basic knowledge of standard Web tools such as Photoshop, HTML, XML, and other Web software and languages. Do you have what it takes?

2. If you're considering the freelance route, you should get some professional help (not that kind, silly). Good accountants do more than your taxes, they also give you advice: Not only can they help you understand the difference between an IRA and a Roth IRA but they can teach you the correct way to submit and track invoices and give you info about local business registration requirements.

3. Can't figure out what to buy your second cousins for Christmas? How about a few cans of Spam. They'll certainly be surprised, and whatever you give them next year will look all the better in comparison.

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