Module 1: Checkpoint 4—Progressive enhancement
| Conformance: Desirable |
Requirements
Agencies should follow the progressive enhancement methodology outlined in the browser support plan.
Benefits of conformance
- The methodology outlined in the browser support plan provides a cost-effective approach to dealing with issues of browser and device support.
- Developing according to web standards gives all browsers and devices the best chance to access the content and render the resource as intended.
- Developing using a progressive enhancement approach provides an inherent graceful degradation so that less capable devices and browsers are always able to access a web resources' content or functionality.
Risks of non-conformance
- Not developing to align with web standards (i.e. developing for a single browser's interpretation of web standards) and not using a progressive enhancement approach:
- vastly complicates cross-browser testing and debugging.
- Carries a high risk around forwards-compatibility (i.e. It is likely the web resource will require continuing adjustments as new browser versions are released).