In the ever-evolving world of technology, change is inevitable. Administrative Information Services, a unit of Information Technology Services (ITS), has taken a huge step in facilitating such change. Based on AIS Web site user feedback and a desire for improved usability and growth facilitation, the AIS Web Team is well on its way to creating and unveiling its improved site for all Penn State administrative computing users.
To begin this process, several user groups were identified, including AIS application users (ADIS, IBIS, ISIS, eDDS, Data Warehouse, EIS, OC://WebConnect, etc.); AIS information seekers relating to news, policies, meetings, documentation, access and security, download, support, etc.; ITS employees looking for information about the organization and its resources; and various members of the University community. A "card sorting" exercise was used in an initial round of testing. This method is a topic oriented, low-fi way to organize and label a prototype site according to its users' thoughts and opinions. The results of this testing pointed to several topics needing to be addressed in a new site, including the need for more "getting help" information, "getting started" sections and a wider (across screen) site structure. The Web Team's main objectives in this testing were to assess and organize content based on user testing and feedback; redesign AIS pages based on user-centered design, W3C guidelines and AIS Web Team feedback; redesign AIS sublevel pages based on main page ideals; and create templates, graphic files and a visual and written communication standards document. By completing these objectives, the team will be better able to improve the speed, accuracy and delivery of information for the completion of tasks performed by users, as well as the operational efficiency (how and when accurate and current content is updated, created, and/or distributed within the AIS Web site) and accuracy of providing information and services. Other user feedback was provided by word-of-mouth, past experiences, AIS Support Center records, AIS-webmaster e-mail records and the Web site's Online Opinion tool.
Following was a second user testing session called "paper prototyping." For paper prototype testing, the team first decided on the tasks that they'd like users to accomplish. Next, screen shots and/or hand-sketched drafts of the windows, menus, dialog boxes, pages, popup messages, etc. were made. These screen shots were needed to perform those tasks. Next, the team conducted a usability test by having one or two participants play the role of "computer," manipulating the pieces of paper to simulate how the interface would behave. Users were given realistic tasks to perform by interacting directly with the prototype-they would "click" by touching the prototype buttons or links and "type" by writing their data in the prototype's edit fields.
Next, content inventory was taken of the current AIS Web site. This catalog of topics and information exposed all aspects of the site and was used as a platform for new documentation and goals. Some suggested changes included pulling the Web site's "search" feature to the top of the screen, adding an AIS Intranet, adding a "related information" column, and site-wide navigation tools at the top of the screen.
The incorporation of test findings, future research and a new Content Management System (CMS) will combine to create the new AIS Web site. This new site will help to expand the information available to users, increase legibility and readability, and follow a path designed around usage, among other improved features. AIS plans to release its new site before year's end.