Users of the University website have been participating in a series of workshops, as part the One Web project, to help develop a more user-centric online presence.
One Web, which was developed by the Digital team in Communications and Marketing, was agreed by the University Executive Board in October and is now in a consultation phase.
The project is closely aligned with the 10-Year Plan and will look at user needs which will enhance our reputation, increase trust and improve both the student experience and our impact globally.
Head of Digital, Ayala Gordon reflects on the first workshop:
“And we’re off to a great start. Our university stakeholders are responsive and we’re really starting to get a handle on:
- how many different types of user there are who need information from the website
- the overarching user needs that aren’t just specific to one faculty or type of user
- some of the specific needs of users of different faculties or professional services
- some of the challenges faced by staff trying to get their own needs met through the website because of the way it’s constructed right now
So what does ‘user needs’ mean?
Basically a user need is what our user needs to do to complete a task or achieve a goal online. Those tasks or goals might include applying for something or finding out information, ordering something or buying something.
Any successful product or service needs to meet the needs of the user and what the user always wants to know first is – what’s in it for me? That’s true of universities too.
Online content that’s designed around users and their needs:
- is more likely to be found in the first place
- is more likely to be used
- helps more people get the right outcome for them
- costs less – reducing time and money spent on fixing problems
- will meet university goals by giving users what they want and need – pulling them gives users a positive experience of the university
This is just the beginning of this conversation and we are delighted to see such willingness to take part in the workshop. So thank you to all who took the time, participated and contributed their ideas. We don’t take it for granted and it is very much appreciated.”
One of last week’s delegates, Dr David Wheatley, Associate Dean for Education, Humanities said of the workshop:
“This was a great start to what should be a really important project to improve the University’s website. The session was productive and helped staff in the faculty to understand and give feedback on the challenges that we face in this area.”
If you have any queries about this project, please contact Ayala Gordon.
