MVP

Project Overview:

Purpose:

• The ValleyLife platform’s purpose is to provide a comprehensive guide to help newcomers and international students adjust to life in the Comox Valley and settle down. It seeks to facilitate community involvement, give vital information, and expedite settlement.

Target Audience:

• International students
• Newcomers to Comox Valley

Main Problem/Need:

• The primary issue impeding international students' and newcomers' assimilation into the community is the need for a centralized platform designed to meet their unique needs in the Comox Valley. ValleyLife seeks to solve this by offering a thorough and user-friendly way to improve information flow, get around obstacles in the way of getting necessary information, and promote community involvement.

User Stories:

As a Newcomer Planning to Settle:

• I want to Access Comprehensive Travel Guides on ValleyLife
• So that I can confidently plan my journey to the Comox Valley, ensuring a smooth transition and reducing travel-related stress.

As an International Student Looking for Housing:

• I want Assistance in Finding Suitable Accommodation on ValleyLife, including Rental Listings, Neighborhood Information, and Community Service Details
• So that I can ease my housing search and ensure a comfortable living environment during my studies in the Comox Valley.

As a Newcomer Concerned about Health and Wellness:

• I want Comprehensive Guides on ValleyLife regarding Healthcare Services, Hospitals, Wellness Activities, and Local Food Options
• So that I have access to essential resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the Comox Valley.

As an International Student:

• I want Information on ValleyLife about Support for International Students, including Visa Guidance and Academic Resources
• So that I can ensure a seamless transition into the educational system of the Comox Valley, make informed decisions about my academic journey, and feel supported throughout my studies.

As a Job Seeker New to the Community:

• I want easy access to job listings and information on ValleyLife about local job-seeking strategies, application processes, and networking opportunities.
• So that I can efficiently find employment, understand the local job market, and navigate the process seamlessly in the Comox Valley.

Feature Prioritization (MoSCoW):

Must-Haves:

• Comprehensive Travel Guides
• Assistance in Finding Suitable Accommodation
• Comprehensive Guides on Healthcare Services, Hospitals, Wellness Activities, and Local Food Options
• Easy Access to Job Listings and Information on Local Job-Seeking Strategies
• Information on Support for International Students, including Visa Guidance and Academic Resources

Should-Haves:

• Community Forums and Events Calendar
• Local Business Directories
• Communication way

Could-Haves:

• Language Support Tools
• Integration of Real-Time Community Features

Won't-Haves:

• Features like information about particular businesses
• Extensive Social Media Integration or Features

Wireframes:

Home:

Travel

About

Services

Settlement

Data Model:

Entities:

• User
• Travel Guide
• Accommodation
• Community Event
• Educational Resources
• Health and Wellness Guide
• Job search
• Local Business and services

Tech Stack

Content Management System (CMS):

• WordPress

Justification:

• WordPress is chosen for its user-friendly CMS, extensive plugin ecosystem, and community support. It allows for efficient content management and customization, aligning with the need for a dynamic and easily maintainable platform

Front-End Development:

• WordPress

Justification:

• Utilizing WordPress for front-end development ensures seamless integration with the chosen CMS, providing a consistent and user-friendly experience. It simplifies the development process and allows for easy content updates.
• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript

Justification:

Standard web technologies are employed to enhance the user interface and experience. HTML for structure, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for interactive features contribute to a responsive and visually appealing design.

Back-End Development:

• WordPress
• PHP

Justification:

• WordPress, with its PHP-based architecture, is the backbone for back-end development. It enables data handling, user authentication, and dynamic content generation, aligning with the project's need for a robust and scalable back-end.

Design Tools:

• Adobe XD
• InVision

Justification:

• Adobe XD and InVision are chosen for creating wireframes and mockups. These tools facilitate collaborative design processes and visually represent the platform's layout and flow, ensuring a user-friendly design.
• Adobe Illustrator (for Logo Design)

Justification:

• Adobe Illustrator is used for logo design, contributing to the branding and identity of ValleyLife.
• Adobe Photoshop (for picture size fixes and pixel-perfect adjustments)

Justification:

• Adobe Photoshop is for image adjustments, ensuring pixel-perfect visuals and addressing any sizing issues. It enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the platform.

Deployment:

• AWS (C-Panel)

Justification:

• AWS, integrated with C-Panel, offers a reliable and scalable hosting solution. It provides the necessary infrastructure for deploying and managing the ValleyLife platform, ensuring optimal performance and accessibility.

Database:

• phpMyAdmin
• MySQL and MariaDB

Justification:

• phpMyAdmin is chosen for its user-friendly interface, allowing efficient management of the MySQL and MariaDB databases. This aligns with the need for a robust data storage and retrieval database system.

Version Control:

• GitHub

Justification:

• GitHub is a centralized version control system that fosters collaboration and code management. It ensures transparency, facilitates team coordination, and allows for streamlined development processes.

Development Timeline:

Research and Planning:

• Define MVP Features (Completed):
  • January 23 - February 6, 2024
• Create Wireframes (Completed):
  • January 30 - February 6, 2024
• Plan Data Model (Completed):
  • January 30 - February 6, 2024

Front-end Development:

• Set Up Project Structure:
  • February 1 - February 14, 2024
• Implement User Interface Components
  • February 15 - February 28, 2024

Back-end Development:

• Establish Server and Database Connections:
  • March 1 - March 7, 2024
• Develop MVP Features
  • March 8 - March 14, 2024

Integration:

• Connect Front-end with Back-end
  • March 15 - March 28, 2024
• Test and Debug
  • March 15 - March 28, 2024

Deployment:

• Deploy MVP
  • March 29 - April 4, 2024
• Ensure Scalability and Performance
  • March 29 - April 8, 2024

Challenges and Risks:

Challenges:

• Integrating real-time community features may pose challenges.
• Ensuring accurate and up-to-date information in guides.

Strategies:

• Regularly update guides through user contributions and verified sources.
• Implementing gradual feature releases to address integration challenges.