2013 Annual Conference — October 6-9Operation integration: how a unit wrangled wildly diverse content into one user-friendly resource
Ballroom
What do you get when you mix one main website, eight subdomains and a new communication strategy into a digital redesign, then top it off with a massive unit reorganization halfway through the project? A whole lot of crazy, yes, but ultimately a comprehensive plan for logical content integration now and for the future.
Hollyce Balentine will discuss how she incorporated content such as campus facilities and grounds services, sustainability initiatives and event resources for departments into one smartly structured website for Michigan State University’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities unit. Balentine will walk the audience through the process, challenges and solutions the Communications team worked on for over a year. Project phases included performing audits and analytics research, establishing the goal to be service-focused, wrangling subject-matter experts on board, gathering user feedback and planning for ongoing site governance.
Just when the plan seemed in tip top shape, BAM! A new reporting structure! This reorganization meant adding five more departments (read: websites) to the digital strategy. In her presentation, Balentine will answer questions such as, “How do you know if your content is actually organized well?” and “How do I prevent stakeholders from breaking out pitchforks?” She proves that a well-planned content strategy can help you prepare for the most unexpected surprises.
Presenter
Hollyce Balentine
Digital Communications Manager, Michigan State University
Hollyce Balentine is a web and social media specialist, content strategist, UXer, writer and editor. She started her career at Michigan State University as a student intern. Her web savvy, usability experience and knowledge of writing for digital environments put her in charge of a full-scale web overhaul at MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.
