Management of products and projects

[Karen Harker <Karen.Harker@UTSouthwestern.edu>]

I am interested in learning how librarians manage the systems that are developed in-house. Is it all done ad hoc? Do you use a set of procedures or standards?  

Also, how do you handle maintenance?  Is there any documentation that a new staff member could review?

What I'm really wanting to learn is if there is a need by librarians for development organization and standards?  I'm currently developing a set of procedures, standards, and documentation for our myriad of applications developed in-house, mostly by me.  This came about because so many other librarians and staff were concerned about me leaving (it's nice being needed, but their concern was mounting).  Has anybody else experienced this reaction?  Is there a need for libraries to manage their Web development, even if all they do is static Web pages?


Thanks.
Karen R. Harker
Web Developer
UT Southwestern Medical Library
Dallas, Texas