EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & PROPOSAL

Holy Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church (HMC) is a spirit filled body of Christ with a mission to bring the gospel to the masses. In today’s digital age, a church’s website should also be a virtual House of God, where visitors can see everything that your ministry has to offer. A visitor who has had an opportunity to take a long walk through your website is more likely to come and visit in person.

A good church website is increasingly becoming an essential part of growing the church. On average, a church loses 10% of its membership through circumstance (such as moving, death, marriage, or leaving for some other reason) every year.  Church growth experts have determined that a church must have 5% visitors in attendance each Sunday in order to grow at all (Mehrle, 2012).

One of the most cost effective ways to get visitors to come to your church is through your church website.  In most instances, a person who hears about your church will attempt to visit the church website. Whether they can find the website, and what it looks like, will determine whether they come to visit the church or not. A church website is an extremely cost effective way of directly reaching out to those searching on the internet for a church, as well as those who have been made aware of your church through some other outreach means.

HMC currently has a website that has not been updated, maintained or modified in over four years. This project proposal and implementation plan is intended to extend and redevelop HMC’s existing website framework and develop additional interfaces to make the site more attractive.  Furthermore, the new design will also offer several valuable resources to the congregation such as links to Sunday School, Bible Study, Sermon Topics, and church events.

The estimated cost of project man hours is $3,645.00.  The estimated costs of materials are $416.  The project’s duration is 105 days. The project schedule will follow a specified series of activities: Planning (11/11/2013 – 11/22/2013), Gather Requirements (11/25/2013 – 12/23/2013), Construction (12/24/2013 – 02/13/2014), and User Testing (03/21/2014 – 04/03/2014). The project’s target delivery is April 3, 2014. The implementation will be handled by HD Solution’s Web Development Team. The resource groups required are identified, and have been assigned responsibilities.

Statement of Scope

The first phase (Phase I) of the website will serve two purposes: (1) the site will serve to inform potential visitors with general, and service information about Holy Mt Calvary (HMC) and its mission. (2) The site will also serve as an information hub for the congregation.  This activity includes a redesign/redevelopment of HMC’s existing site with several content updates and site enhancements. This project initiative will also include enhancements to HMC’s technology infrastructure within the sanctuary with regard to connectivity.

There are three audiences the site will target: (1) People who are Christians that may be considering coming to HMC, (2) people who are not Christians that are considering coming to HMC, and (3) existing church members.

In Scope

Web Develoment

The web developer (Developer) resource is the key resource for the project and will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Data Design: Overall design of all website data objects
• User Interface (UI) Design
• Site Map
• Database Components
• Programing Logic & Applications
• Web UI Components
• Website Publishing
• Post Implementation Support

HMC Leadership Counsil

            The HMC Leadership Counsel will consist of Rev. Dr. Leonard White, Pastor, and any other appointed decision making authorities.  The leadership council will be responsible for the following activities:

• Project Approvals
• Ministry Requirement Guidelines

HMC Technology Infrastructure

This project also includes slight enhancements to the church’s technology infrastructure where feasible.  The following items will need to be implemented as a part of this initiative:

• The purchase of a new website domain(s) and host.
• The purchase and implementation of a wireless router and/or repeater for the sanctuary.
• The purchase of high speed internet service from the local cable provider.

Out of Scope

The items listed below are considered to be out of the scope of this project, but will be used to incorporate the technology roadmap going forward:

1. HMC Mobile App: The site will need to be designed to cater to mobile users in the form of an application. The mobile application will link directly to information on the church website.
2. Social Media Connection: The site will need to be designed to allow visitors to provide feedback or enter discussions with moderators and other members of the site. The use of web forums and/or live chat sessions may be used.
3. Content Management System (CMS): The content of HMCs website will need to be continually updated by designated staff or writers. CMS will allow multiple authors to modify content, without exposing the underlying code of the website.
4. Maintenance Plan: A formal maintenance and editing plan will need to be drafted which will include instructions and governance on maintaining the church website.

Project Work Breakdown Structure

1. Web Project: holymtcalvarymbc.org

            1.1       Manage Project

                        1.1.1     Manage Contingency

            1.2       Planning

                        1.2.1     Scope & Define

                        1.2.2     Approvals

            1.3       Gather Requirements

                        1.3.1     Ministry Requirements

                        1.3.2     Functional Requirements

                        1.3.3     Design Methods

                        1.3.4     Resource Requirements

            1.4       Construction

                        1.4.1    Develop Design

                                    1.4.1.1  Data Design

                                    1.4.1.2  UI Design

                                    1.4.1.3  Site Map

                        1.4.2    Site Development

                                    1.4.2.1  Database Components

                                    1.4.2.2  Code/Logic Apps

                                    1.4.2.3  Web UI Components

            1.5       Content Creation

                        1.5.1     Get Images

                        1.5.2     Create Content

            1.6       Publish

            1.7       User Tests

                        1.7.1     Analyze & Correct

TIMELINE CHART (GANTT CHART)

Costs

Below are the baseline cost estimates for this project based on a status from November 15, 2013.  The baseline cost for the entire project is estimated at $3,645.00.

Assumptions

The estimates have the following cost assumptions:

1. Resource costs are estimated based on man hours per capita.
2. Monetary values are used in order to create a value system for the effort.
3. Resource rates were estimated based from historical data and prior development projects.
4. Support costs are not included as support is an existing ongoing activity and will be provided by a designated webmaster.