Redesigning a large and complex website: how to begin, and a method for success

ABSTRACT

In a technology-oriented, information-intense world, one of the largest challenges facing higher education is the organization, communication, and presentation of information in a coherent and usable fashion via the world wide web. The Learning Team, a part of Information Technology at the College of William and Mary, offers vision and a solution for developing a robust web-based information architecture to centrally administer customized learning modules and services as well as promote web-based training initiatives.This paper focuses on the redesign of the large and complex technology-related Learning Team website, contrasting the design and structure of the old 3,000+ page Learning Team web architecture with the newly-developed site-- from conception in November 2001 to completion in June 2002. Directing the web redesign process, we took a team-oriented approach consisting of several staff and student employees. In this session, I will guide attendees through our product workflow processes from website conception, content presentation, storyboarding, navigational and schematic design, as well as delivery of content to well-conceived webpage layout and usability techniques. I will provide hands-on exercises of our content inventory process, task analysis, "card sorting" techniques as well as "paper prototype" testing.Web designers, developers, trainers, and those interested in creating an effective web presence may find this discussion particularly useful. Participants delivering services over the web, evaluating student employment, assessing the changing needs for services, or interested in providing preventive technical solutions and support to faculty and staff may also find this paper helpful.At its completion, readers will gain: (1) practical knowledge of how to redesign a large and complex website, (2) an understanding of usability practices and some core usability techniques, and (3) exposure to user-centered design. I will share tips and lessons learned as well as practical issues and solutions for developing a solid information architecture and for implementing web standards.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.9 Management
          Subjects: Software process models (e.g., CMM, ISO, PSP); Software quality assurance (SQA)

  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.1 Systems and Information Theory
          Subjects: Information theory; Value of information
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human information processing; Software psychology; Human factors
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.1 Content Analysis and Indexing
          Subjects: Linguistic processing; Indexing methods; Abstracting methods
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services
          Subjects: Web-based services; Data sharing
      H.3.7 Digital Libraries
          Subjects: Standards; Systems issues; Collection; User issues; Dissemination
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Theory and methods; Standardization; Graphical user interfaces (GUI); Prototyping; User interface management systems (UIMS); Training, help, and documentation; Interaction styles (e.g., commands, menus, forms, direct manipulation); User-centered design; Style guides
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Theory and models; Web-based interaction; Organizational design
      H.5.4 Hypertext/Hypermedia
          Subjects: User issues; Navigation; Theory; Architectures

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Computer-managed instruction (CMI); Collaborative learning; Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Human Factors, Performance, Reliability, Standardization, Theory

Keywords:
accessibility, automation, communications, consistency, efficiency, information architecture, internet, just-in-time, learning, needs assessment, support, task analysis, training, usability, web services, web site