1. Paisley’s portal production process
Tony Shaw, Anne Strachan
Network and Information Systems Management
University of Paisley

2. History/plan emphasis on intranet
1996
1998
2000
2001
2002
(sept)
emphasis on intranet
Staff Intranet Co-ordinator post created
Portal strategy document published
(continued to be revised/published)
Portal purchased/prototyped produced
VC directly involved/briefed
period of deployment and limited development
replaces existing intranet site

3. Staff intranet

4. Preparatory activities
Tracking commercial sector products, prices and projects
Anticipating some possible problems
hype surrounding VLE/MLE
faculty developments
significant organisational changes taking place

5. Lessons from elsewhere
focus on business benefits
importance of executive sponsorship
invest in planning
invest in education/awareness
focus on process not technology
take care with integration and expectations

6. The portal strategy separate services for staff and students
common technology for above
remote access as part of model
gateway concept not ambitious integration
sub projects to drive initial content and ownership

7. Some tactics employed involvement of VC
confirms strategic nature of project, gets into plans
content contributor clarity continued
partner with others
e.g. faculty web site connector
broaden ‘ownership’
e.g. manager channel
restrict involvement

8. objectives portal as framework for information architecture
emphasis as strategic project for the institution
provide flexible approach able to accommodate other developments

9. some technical issues ensuring a consistent technical framework
anticipating integration requirements
design relates to organisational structure
incorporating information strategy and planning issues

10. some people issues anticipating risks/reasons for failure
establishing appropriate management and project structures
complexity of overall project
how to raise awareness in context of business

11. practical aims emphasis on business benefits from outset
making appropriate and cost effective use of what exists/will exist
caution and pragmatism on integration

12. practical steps
ensuring ‘group’ membership reflects business requirements
early communication of portal strategy
rapid production of prototype to aid process
reference to other sources/experience
careful initial involvement at various levels
VC involvement

13. initial focus
you as a member of the University community (Corporate Comms)
you as an employee of the University (HR)
access to key information services/resources
you as a member of a faculty/dept/etc

14. Portal

15. initial components and channels
basics - sign-on, , University calendar, phone directory, bookmarks
University news and information
employee news and information
information resources
faculty/local management communication
user defined bookmarks
research funding news

16. gateway to resources

17. faculty site integration

18. “ownership” for managers