DFM Public Web Site Progress Report

It's been 6 months since the ITS Web team conducted a Department Web site survey asking for your feedback, and while you may notice some minor updates and additions to the current site, a lot more is happening behind the scenes in preparation for the fall launch of a major site redesign.

Here is a look at our progress to date:

Completed:

• Formed a well balanced, actively involved, Web Oversight Committee, which meets monthly and is responsible for setting priorities and making key decisions about the Web.
• Established Web content owners and authors.
• Determined content priorities for the new site, with a process in place to manage updates and changes.
• Secured a freelance writer who is working with content owners to edit and write content for priority pages.
• Researched and selected new technology for managing Web site content (Drupal.org). This will allow for a more dynamic site and update process.

In progress:

• Approval of new site architecture, (navigation and site map).
• Approval of new design.
• Establishing an "editorial calendar" for the home page so it stays fresh with new content.
• Communicating to department stakeholders, keeping them informed and involved with the project.
• Identifying criteria for photo shoots and working with photographers.

Milestone dates:

• June 20: Web Oversight committee finalizes and signs off on a site map and design.
• July 1: Template development on the new site begins.
• July 31: Deadline for all new page content is delivered to the Web team. (webmaster@fammed.wisc.edu)
• August 1 - Sept 28: Major site development, module integration, testing, and content population.
• October 12: Public Site Launch.

As you may have noticed, beginning in July, the Web team will be focusing on developing the new site, so we request the Department keep non critical Web updates on hold. We appreciate your understanding.

All "Text" content updates, due July 31, should go to your established section owner or: webmaster@fammed.wisc.edu

For additional information, I invite you to visit our project overview page, which has links to the Web committee meeting minutes, project milestone documents, and an archive of all working documents. https://inside.fammed.wisc.edu/its/webteam/index.html

Please contact me if you have additional questions or comments: Jim Witkins at (jim.witkins@fammed.wisc.edu).