Developing Quality Workflow

What is Workflow?

Work•flow /ˈwərkflō/

“The sequence of industrial, administrative, or other processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion.” – lexico.com

What is a quality workflow?  How do we develop it?  Below are elements of the production cycle that most creative people move through as they create something.  First, we must identify the stages of project production. What is each stage and what are the quality checks for each stage.  Read on and find out!

Stages of Creation Development

Inspiration

How do we find ideas to develop?

• Look at other people’s work for ideas
• Write down some ideas and brainstorm, even if it is not good
• Think about how that idea will work. Does it make sense?
• Friends can measure quality because they see it from a different perspective from you.

Intention

How do we clarify our specific goal(s) for a project?

• We should use research and development.
• We should use trial and error, and not give up until we achieve our goal.
• Quality should be measured by comparing the function of my product to what’s available and reliable in the marketplace.
• The consumer is the biggest measure of quality, so research the feedback of comparable products, or ideas.

Pre-production

How can we brainwrite, brainstorm, storyboard, and plan our ideas at this phase?

• Some form of online document or a notebook.
• Making drafts and looking it over to see what works.
• Would the consumer like it?
• You and your peers measure the quality to find what works.

Production

How do we communicate with each other and execute our plan for this phase? This is where we actually make the project.

• Cameras, Computer, Game Engine, Audio Mixers, etc.
• Take your ideas and drafts and turn them into a finished product that people will enjoy.
• How do people feel about the project?
• Peers, game testers, film crew, etc. will give feedback.

Post-production

How do we communicate with each other and execute our final stages of the project for this phase? This is where we publish the project.

• Editing software, VFX software, etc.
• This is where you perfect your project, you put the final touches on it and make it presentable.
• Is it something people would enjoy?
• The advisory committee, game testers, etc. would measure the quality of the project.

Presentation/Performance

How do we share our project with our learning community, advisory members, and the world?

• Steam, Itch.io, Social Media, YouTube, etc.
• Post your finished product once you are happy with it. Make good advertising for it.
• Are people checking out the project? How many people are checking out the project and is it doing well?

Feedback

How do we conduct a feedback session at the end of the project development cycle?

• Social Media, Steam Reviews, IGN, etc.
• Are there any major flaws? What could be improved? What was good?
• How are you able to use this feedback for future projects?
• If people notice that you listen to feedback they will enjoy your projects more.