Redesign Scope Document

The Web Usability Team (WUT) conducted a usability test of the Libraries Web site in November 2006. Based on the usability problems identified in this test, the WUT recommends

• Conducting a Web site inventory to identify content.
• Reviewing the Web site to assess how content is organized.
• Conducting a card-sorting exercise with users so they can help classify and organize content.
• Conducting user focus groups and user task analyses to better understand user tasks.
• Using labels and terminology that are meaningful to users (i.e., Find Articles, for instance, instead of “Resource Database Locator” or “All Databases”).
• Positioning content on the home page according to the most common user tasks. Placement of content will be supported by Web site statistics, user task analyses, and focus groups using a user-centered design approach.
• Using consistent navigation and design. Standardize the design by using the University of Connecticut template.
• Testing the usability of Homer, at a minimum, and the eJournal locator and SFX, if possible.
• Redesigning the Web site structure after the libraries’ web server architecture is firmly in place. This user-entered, iterative redesign will address flattening the information architecture so that URLs are shorter.
• Assessing the accessibility of the Web site to bring it into State of Connecticut accessibility requirements.
• Modifying pages to comply with writing-for-the-web best practices.

Project Description

The Web site redesign is planned to take place from Summer 2007 through Summer 2008. By the Fall 2007 semester, the UConn template will be applied to at least the top level pages. If time permits, the home page labels will be redesigned before the start of the Fall 2007 semester.

After a consultant is hired to help develop the Web site’s information architecture, content that currently resides on the Spirit server will be copied to a staging server, where the information architecture will be reworked, mockups and prototypes designed and tested, and staging-to-production workflows are developed.

Usability testing will be conducted during the iterative redesign to come up with a usable Web site to be rolled out for the Fall 2008 semester.

In Scope

• Content inventory to weed redundant, outdated or trivial (ROT) content
• User studies to identify user goals and tasks
• User focus groups
• Card sorting exercise to have users categorize content
• Apply UConn template
• Redesign the information architecture
• Usability and accessibility testing
• Prepare training documentation
• Training staff to use templates

Not in Scope

Content providers are the “owners” of content Content providers will be provided guidelines for writing-for-the-web, usability, accessibility, and web design best practices to help inform them how to best prepare content.

Objectives

Using a user-centered approach:

• Create a site that responds to user needs


• Create a site that enables patrons to complete their goals and tasks easily


• Use labels and terminology that are meaningful to users


• Position content on the home page according to the most common user tasks, determined by Web site statistics, user task analyses, and focus groups, using a user-centered design approach.


• Create a standard page layout and navigation throughout the Web site, using the University of Connecticut Web site template


• Assess the accessibility of the Web site to bring it into State of Connecticut accessibility requirements.


• Comply with the Universal Web Site Accessibility Policy for State Web Sites (http://www.cmac.state.ct.us/access/policies/accesspolicy40.html)


• Flatten the information architecture so that URLs are shorter.


• Promote library services


• Improve information delivery

Measures of Success

• Web site is easier to use based on results of usability testing.
• Web site complies with accessibility guidelines
• Web content has a standard look
  

Relationship to Other Projects

• The web server architecture is currently being designed. One of the goals of this redesign is to create a staging server so that content providers no longer work directly off a production server.


• There is a Primo goal, whose implementation may change how users interact with the Web site. The scope of the redesign initially is to better understand user needs by conducting user studies, modify the home page labeling and categorization, and apply the University of Connecticut template. The two teams need to communicate their progress, especially if there is a possibility that Primo might change how users interact with the Web site.


• The Homer interface is being redesigned.

Risks and Constraints

• Staff availability. A task team will work with WUT primarily in the planning stages to monitor a content inventory, do environmental scans of library web sites, and participate in user task analyses.
• Primo implementation (See “Related Projects”)


• The redesign is somewhat constrained by the needs of instruction librarians. Because librarians use the Web site for instruction, it is not advisable to modify the design and content mid-semester. In the first phase of the redesign, the University of Connecticut template will be applied so that screenshots of the home page can be incorporated into their instruction and publications.


• Staging server availability. A VMWare virtual server is required so content providers can post their content before it goes into production. Staging–to-production workflows need to be developed and tested.


• Cooperation, good communication, trust, professionalism, and collaboration will facilitate a successful redesign. Dissension will impede progress.

Project Team

Shirley Quintero, Jean Nelson, Phara Bayonne, Suzanne Zack

Other Resources

Task Team, Tom Wood, Consultant, Student Labor