THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Flinders University Web Redevelopment An overview May 2006 Antonia Malavazos, Web Project Officer

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK What is Flinders University Web? The University’s largest, most diverse and complex information system A strategic marketing and promotional tool –A public face in the local, national and international market place An essential business tool –Access to information and services

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK What is Flinders University Web? (cont) A collection of web sites – a fragmented system: –Sites developed, funded and managed independently of each other –No strategic plan, governance structure or content management model –A variety of technologies, budget, staff skills, work practices –Inconsistent look and feel; information structure and navigation

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK What is Flinders University Web? (cont) Result: –Effect on user experience –Effect on University’s image and business objectives –Ineffective use of resources

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Redeveloping Flinders University Web Adapted from The Elements of User Experience, 30 March 2000

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Redeveloping Flinders University Web Establish a governance structure Identify web goals and user groups Conduct a content audit and identify content requirements Identify user requirements Establish a new information architecture – information hierarchy, consistent navigation features, search Re-write content/develop content as required

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Redeveloping Flinders University Web Establish common look and feel Establish content management workflow processes Plan and deploy a content management system Training, web policy and ongoing management Ongoing communication

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK What is a content management system? A CMS is a software application designed to: –Provide improved management of web content –Control web publishing through a workflow process –Make it easier for authorised end users to create and edit content in accordance with standardised styles

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Benefits of a CMS Efficiency –Allows content management to be distributed to individuals with content mgt responsibilities –Provides the potential to streamline and automate content administration –Stores content separately from its publishing format, enabling content to be entered once, but appear in other sections of the site –Does not require content managers to have specialised knowledge of HTML, graphic design or web publishing

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Benefits of a CMS (cont.) Consistency –A CMS is template driven, which Allows for the design of common and consistent information architecture (metadata, navigation, layout and design) Consistent graphic design

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Benefits of a CMS (cont.) Quality of information: –Content publishing is managed though automated workflow management with assignment of responsibilities including submitter, reviewer and approver –Allows for archiving and version control

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Benefits of a CMS (cont.) Security and control –Allows content access and security to be built both for content managers who create and maintain content and for users who use it

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Benefits of a CMS (cont.) In summary: The introduction of a CMS at Flinders University has the potential to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of decentralised web publishing within standards that meet University requirements and improve usability and navigation for all users.

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK So far…. Established a project outline Established Flinders University Web Redevelopment Principles Established a Steering Committee Identified web goals and user groups Undertaken a content survey and written a content analysis report Begun a series of user analysis activities Developed an information architecture plan Employed a CMS Administrator Established an information architecture working party

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Flinders University Web - Aims The Flinders University Web aims to contribute to the Flinders University Strategic Goals by: Promoting the University’s brand, values, capabilities, expertise and activities Attracting and recruiting high quality people and partners to the Flinders University community Facilitating information and service provision that is responsive to user and business needs

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Flinders University Web - objectives To meet these aims the Flinders University Web will focus on the following objectives: Recruiting new students – domestic, undergraduate and postgraduate Attracting and recruiting international students Articulating the Flinders University brand and communicating its values Being a genuine information source for students

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Flinders University Web – objectives (cont.) Being an internal and management tool for staff Promoting the University’s research and courses Promoting our excellence in teaching and research

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Flinders University Web – objectives (cont.) Providing consistent, up-to-date information Facilitating good service provision Providing ‘accessible’ user focused content

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Flinders University Web – aims, objectives and user groups

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Web publishing at Flinders University While the redevelopment project is underway: –Advise of any new web site developments –Keep using standard Flinders University Web templates –As we progress, we will provide guidelines on what to do to prepare for content migration –Contact: Antonia; or your Faculty Web Rep

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Web Publishing at Flinders University Ongoing: –Web maintenance and the need for improvements and development never stops! –Ongoing governance, including policies and standards, for the Flinders University Web will be in established –The ultimate outcome: Flinders University Web meets business and users requirements; and business units and faculties are better equipped to manage their own content as part of a university-wide system

THINK LEARN LEAD LINK Contact and further info Antonia Malavazos Web Project Officer PH: