Dawn Ellis, Director, Website Development Project June 2009
Information Services
Knowledge Strategy Committee
16 June 2009
University Website Development Project
Brief description of the paper
This paper provides an update to KSC on project progress for the University Website.
Charts are attached to give an indication of timeframes for rollout.
Action requested
For information
Resource implications
Does the paper have resource implications? No
Risk Assessment
Does the paper include a risk analysis? No
Equality and Diversity
Does the paper have equality and diversity implications? No
Originator of the paper
Dawn Ellis, Director, Website Development Project
[Name and function; date of preparation- these should also occur on the paper itself.]
Freedom of information
Can this paper be included in open business? Yes
Dawn Ellis, Director, Website Development Project June 2009 Page 1 of 2
University Website Development Project
Project progress since the 13/1/2009 KSC update
School and unit progress (charts attached)
The Project team is pleased to report that progress is generally good. Two MVM, one HSS and six support group (CSG and SASG) sites have gone live since the last update in January 2009. One more HSS school site is due to go live mid-June. Six more CSG sites will be live by end June.
Good progress is being made with all groups in CSG with many more units now in the population phase of their new sites. ISG has a solid plan in place, the group is committed to delivering an initial release by end August.
Momentum is strong in the support groups with the academic units beginning to come on board. The Project Team is now engaging with remaining schools (those not featured on the attached charts) to confirm commitment and ensure an agreed time slot with them for engagement, planning and training during 2009-10.
Clarity of vision and measurable goals for the final year of the Project
The Project Team has set about defining more measurable goals for schools rollout which should help with the assessment of the Project’s success at close of play 2010.
Timeframes for delivery of sites for remaining schools are very tight. The Project should have a clearer view of feasible deliverables in 2009-10 by the end of June.
User centred content management, the challenges
The Project Team continues to meet the challenges of working with very limited resource and having to push on in order to meet extremely demanding delivery targets.
We recognise that there is no one way to conduct a rollout with schools. A series of models is being developed with early adopters. This takes in to consideration influencing factors such as other web technologies in use, the depth and breadth of ownership across the site and current information architecture.
By engaging with the Project, Heads of School are beginning to appreciate the need for the involvement of their key management colleagues on site content assessment and prioritisation. This is leading to an understanding of the need for resource commitment on their part.
This is not a content migration exercise. New websites should: • Meet the expectations of target audiences
• Deliver the school’s key online business objectives
• Reflect a certain level of consistency with the rest of the University
Evolving content management tool
Polopoly continues to be developed bringing enhancements to the publishing tool, as requested by early users of the software. The University-wide Technical Peer Group is now fully engaged in the development consultation process. Decisions around all new developments will have had input from the Group and, as a consequence, the Project Team should have a deeper understanding of school and unit needs.
Dawn Ellis, Director, Website Development Project June 2009 Page 2 of 2
Training and support
Training is being delivered with an edited, more user-friendly training manual now in place. The Polopoly user support website provides the focal point for communications around training and development support. Current Polopoly users are consulted via this wiki for their thoughts on enhancement requirements. Their input feeds in to the design evolution of the tool, complementing engagement with the Technical Peer Group.
EUCLID coordination
It was agreed at the last KSC that we would establish more formal coordination between the two major University Projects. EUCLID is now represented on the University Website Project Board by Morag Hunter, Deputy Director of EUCLID. Jeff Haywood represents the Website Project on the EUCLID board.
A new theme for the website
A group has been established to deliver a new theme to the University website, supporting the University’s Internationalisation strategy. A paper outlining the content and approach for “Edinburgh Global” was approved by the Website Project Board in May 2009. Below is an extract from the paper delivered to the Project Board:
“The Edinburgh Global website will support the University’s Internationalisation Strategy. It will demonstrate a step-change in the communication of the University’s global influence and perception. The University’s position as a global leader in education and research will be palpable from the outset. This part of the University of Edinburgh website will stand apart from the rest in that it will provide an international focal point for visitors.
The content will tell a story in a language which is accessible to all (whatever their native language or area of professional or research expertise). It will provide a home for the sharing of information on the University’s international activities and give the space to showcase our international achievements.”
Project exit strategy
The Project Director has been asked to create an exit strategy for 2010. She will develop possible scenarios and present them to Professor Haywood for reflection and comment. The University community will need to be clear about where to seek support for all ongoing website development activities from a/y 2010-11. Possible solutions will be delivered for discussion towards the end of the year.
D a w n E lli s , D ir e c to r, W e b s it e D e v e lo p m e n t P ro je c t A c ti v it y F o re c a s t, J u n e 2 0 0 9 P a g e 1 o f 3
KSC: 16.06.09
Paper D
D a w n E lli s , D ir e c to r, W e b s it e D e v e lo p m e n t P ro je c t A c ti v it y F o re c a s t, J u n e 2 0 0 9 P a g e 2 o f 3
KSC: 16.06.09
Paper D
D a w n E lli s , D ir e c to r, W e b s it e D e v e lo p m e n t P ro je c t A c ti v it y F o re c a s t, J u n e 2 0 0 9 P a g e 3 o f 3