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a public library website redesign Sarah Houghton-Jan Digital Futures Manager, San Jose Public Library Author, LibrarianInBlack.net
our current website
problems we’re solving 1 website for 2 libraries public library users felt ripped off 7 year-old design, content, and CMS webmaster as gatekeeper = disconnected staff ADA requirements cumbersome in existing environment
problems we encountered while solving those unrealistic admin expectations 1 year long RFP & contract process incompetent graphic designers 6 months of lost time due to  lost momentum merged web team working on 3 websites
lessons learned
redesign planning stakeholders identify org. goals techies, designers, and information architects identify how to meet them identify your givens use planning software (BaseCamp, dotproject) double the estimated timeline
staff & customer involvement initial satisfaction surveys for both card-sorting testing for customers early on staff focus groups mock-up task testing for customers transparency to staff and customers
usability identify who you are serving focus on the few things you do well tell stories of what your users want look for friction points who is the site for again?
accessibility start simple Basic tools: JAWS, WAVE, browser emulators, OS emulators Firefox tools: Firesizer, Firefox Accessibility Extension, HTML Validator, Web Developer Extension, WCAG Contrast Checker
communication blogs for staff & customers with email & RSS updates ask for customer & staff input (+ use it) recruit usability testing participants from among “the angry folk”
project management set deadlines for everything hold people accountable one person should be in charge of tracking give periodic updates to staff/managers spend the most time on IA and design keep things moving no matter what celebrate small victories
launch techniques phased-in launch (notices, pre-testing) beta + feedback = 1.0 + feedback = 1.1 + feedback (and so on) provide brief online & printable orientation if it takes  >1 page, start over
5 things to avoid try to be fancy when your brain says “no” allow consultants to push you around have more than one project manager stifle creativity re-invent some wheels
5 things you must do show your ego to the door take risks document everything research everything talk to your users continuously
one more time...
our current website
our new website
Questions? Sarah Houghton-Jan web: LibrarianInBlack.net Twitter: @TheLiB Facebook: Facebook.com/LibrarianInBlack IM: LibrarianInBlack Skype: LibrarianInBlack email:  [email_address]

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CIL2010: Website Redesign: A Public Library Website Redesign: (aka The Trip to Hades & Back)

  • 1. a public library website redesign Sarah Houghton-Jan Digital Futures Manager, San Jose Public Library Author, LibrarianInBlack.net
  • 3. problems we’re solving 1 website for 2 libraries public library users felt ripped off 7 year-old design, content, and CMS webmaster as gatekeeper = disconnected staff ADA requirements cumbersome in existing environment
  • 4. problems we encountered while solving those unrealistic admin expectations 1 year long RFP & contract process incompetent graphic designers 6 months of lost time due to lost momentum merged web team working on 3 websites
  • 6. redesign planning stakeholders identify org. goals techies, designers, and information architects identify how to meet them identify your givens use planning software (BaseCamp, dotproject) double the estimated timeline
  • 7. staff & customer involvement initial satisfaction surveys for both card-sorting testing for customers early on staff focus groups mock-up task testing for customers transparency to staff and customers
  • 8. usability identify who you are serving focus on the few things you do well tell stories of what your users want look for friction points who is the site for again?
  • 9. accessibility start simple Basic tools: JAWS, WAVE, browser emulators, OS emulators Firefox tools: Firesizer, Firefox Accessibility Extension, HTML Validator, Web Developer Extension, WCAG Contrast Checker
  • 10. communication blogs for staff & customers with email & RSS updates ask for customer & staff input (+ use it) recruit usability testing participants from among “the angry folk”
  • 11. project management set deadlines for everything hold people accountable one person should be in charge of tracking give periodic updates to staff/managers spend the most time on IA and design keep things moving no matter what celebrate small victories
  • 12. launch techniques phased-in launch (notices, pre-testing) beta + feedback = 1.0 + feedback = 1.1 + feedback (and so on) provide brief online & printable orientation if it takes >1 page, start over
  • 13. 5 things to avoid try to be fancy when your brain says “no” allow consultants to push you around have more than one project manager stifle creativity re-invent some wheels
  • 14. 5 things you must do show your ego to the door take risks document everything research everything talk to your users continuously
  • 18. Questions? Sarah Houghton-Jan web: LibrarianInBlack.net Twitter: @TheLiB Facebook: Facebook.com/LibrarianInBlack IM: LibrarianInBlack Skype: LibrarianInBlack email: [email_address]