Imagine you have been talking to a prospect at a midsize software-as-a-service company. The website only has three major sections: primary core content, knowledge base, and forum. When talking with the prospect during the sales process, it seems like there is some confusion around who their audience is and what would be the best elements to include in the redesign. Based on the scenario above, how would you break up the quote?

The strategy-first option is ideal here because the prospect lacks clarity on their audience and necessary website elements. This approach prioritizes in-depth research and strategic planning to define the target audience, their needs, and the most effective content and features before any design or development begins. This ensures the redesign is built on a solid foundation of understanding. The phased option is less suitable as it assumes a clearer initial understanding of the project scope. Traditional web design or a flat rate would be risky because they don't account for the unknown variables and potential scope changes that arise from the current confusion, likely leading to rework or an ineffective website.