High Tech Solutions for the Department’s Website Redesign Project

Last month’s Employee Update introduced the Website Redesign Project (see article), to create a single integrated site that will encompass all of the department’s information on the web. A common layout and style will ensure users won’t get lost in the vast bureaucracy, with persistent navigation and “breadcrumb” trails to assist in navigation. Some individuality in design at the program level will keep the design fresh. Content teams from across the department are currently meeting to ensure that the site meets the needs of all divisions and offices.

DIRM is supporting the redesign, and has recommended a Web development tool capable of meeting the many technical requirements of the project. The goal is a site that is a workable solution for educating the public for many years to come. Some of those requirements include common layout and style for consistency and ease of use, an advanced search function, and an easy interface for website administrators.

“I’m often asked, who is going to make sure the site is up to date,” said Jeff Garner, Manager of the DIRM Web Team. “When we have changes, whose job is it to make them?’ I tell them that it has to be the work of the divisions. The office that owns the material will be able to directly update it. That’s why we are recommending a tool that is very easy to use.”

The chosen tool is an integrated, database-driven approach to building the Web site, based on Microsoft ASP.NET technology. This is the type of technology that creates dynamic web pages which are found on the web any time you see a URL that ends with “.aspx”. ASP.NET technology is fast becoming standard for complex Web sites because of its high functionality, easy maintenance, and extensibility. One of the advantages of this approach is that page content is separated from layout and style. Web administrators will be able to easily create or modify web pages and upload documents without having to worry that they will inadvertently alter the design. The engine will store all page content in a database, making the content automatically searchable. Navigation can be updated, specific domains can be searched, and documents can be distributed very easily in this environment.

Currently the DIRM Web Team is in the early stages of validating this approach, and is developing a functional prototype to demonstrate the benefits for both users and program administrators.

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Last Modified: October 31, 2005