Web Content Management System Assessment Year One of a Two-Year Project between Northwestern University Information Technology and University Relations September 2004

Project Goals This two-year project is intended as a “proof of concept” for WCMS technology. It is not an attempt to determine a “best investment” for a unified enterprise WCMS within Northwestern. Evaluate WCMS technology in a University setting. –Web Site Design and Architecture Development –Content Creation, Portability, and Distribution –Administrative Processes –Management At the end of the two years, NUIT and UR will make recommendations on an enterprise-wide rollout, if deemed appropriate.

WCMS Project Such systems promise easy content updates and page additions regardless of the site's size. Additional benefits include more controlled visual presentation and approval processes that can be customized depending on departmental needs. Concerns about staff expertise and the limitations of typical Web publishing tools motivated NUIT and UR to evaluate a WCMS solution. Promises of a WCMS: NUIT and UR proposed the selection, purchase, and implementation of a WCMS for the pilot project: - FatWire.

Creating the NUIT Web site using the WCMS

NUIT Web site: WCMS Driven

Separating Design and Data: Content Classes Service Title Description Features Cost Requirements Support Items FAQ Group Requirements Macintosh Windows Linux PDA Support Item Title Description Procedure FAQ Group Title Description FAQ Questions FAQ Question Question Answer Support Item Title Description Procedure FAQ Question Question Answer

FatWire

Using FatWire

Initial Project Assessment distributed authorship/site editors information portability greater ease of Web site management an increased level of control and consistency in Web site development the specification of workflows and/or approval processes before content is posted online The WCMS allows for:

Challenges of WCMS Whether a WCMS demonstrates return on investment remains to be seen. A lot of upfront planning. An enterprise-wide WCMS will not be an "out-of-the-box" solution. Setting up the JSP (i.e., the display Web page or template) has been an additional challenge during year one of the pilot project.

Questions? For additional questions regarding the possibility of utilizing a WCMS for your school or department, please contact Staci Roberts, director of Web Communications at or Next Steps…