Requirements, Anyone?...

So, the stage is set for large scale collection of the precious bits of information we'll need to build a new site properly. In Project Management lingo, we're at the Execution phase. In Information Architecture language, we're in between the Research and Strategy phases. If you have no clue what I'm blogging about - no worries. I probably don't either! (just kidding)

Requirements collection is where we ask you, the stakeholder, what's most important to you - what's on your wish list of things you'd like changed, added, deleted from the website as well as suggestions on those ethereal qualities (color, balance, tone, etc) that you think will make the new website a more appealing place to visit.

Since this is a wish list, there is no restriction on what you can suggest. Of course, later in the process, realities like necessity, time, cost, and available skill will ultimately determine what gets bumped up the priority totem pole but for now let's cram all the available suggestions in there.

Student Focus Groups

So, This is Your Site, Right?...
The answer to that is yes. Oh, and I was speaking to Coppin's prospective and current students, grad students, undergraduates, and even unborn future enrollees. We would love to hear from you, what works, doesn't work, likes, dislikes, and a general wishlist of the kinds of features and information that will make the new site useful to you.

Out of respect for your all-important academic schedule, we'd like to know what's the best non-infringing time, so please email the webmaster (webmaster@coppin.edu) with a schedule of your free time so that we can coordinate calendars accordingly (try to say that really fast five times!). NOTE: For verification that you are a student, please send an email from your student.coppin.edu email account.

Initially - Two Groups
We are forming a 25 and up group and a below 25 group. Classification is immaterial at this point, so Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors as well as grad students can join either group as long as the age is right.

Ignore this fine print --> (we might even spring for pizza...)

So whaddya say?...

CLEAR!!!!

Well, That Was a Long Rest
OK, So I admit it. This blog has been dead for a little while now. I'm actually surprised that I remember the password! Stand back while we breathe life into this post. Get the defibrillator pads ready ... ... ZAP!!

Here are the updates:

Content Management System
We have procured a CMS from the wonderful folks at Jadu Inc. Among other reasons for choosing this CMS is its power, ease of use, and agility. We'll talk more on this later.

Information Architecture Strategy
It's not quite complete yet, but we've hammered out most of the IA strategy we'll use for the remainder of the project. In Geek-Speak, that means we're rolling right along: We will form an amalgam of data collected from a Top-Down view (administrators, deans, chairs, etc) with that from the Bottom-Up view (prospective students, current students, staff, faculty, etc.), and resolve them. The primary objective is to determine the information needs of the site's visitors and the tasks they are attempting to complete. In other words, the site must be useful at all levels.

Reduced Scope: Here come the 86s
As with any major project, tough decisions have to be made when budgets, time crunches, and good old-fashioned politics are factored in. Therefore, these items were cut from the script:

Mobile Site - This is a separate beast in its own right, so we've decided to make that a priority project after the launch of the main www site. It was costing a significant amount of time and pretty soon it was clear that we were chasing two rabbits.

Faculty Server - Similar situation to the Mobile site. It became evident that this introduced an unacceptable quantity of scope creep, therefore it will become its mini project after the all-important www project is launched.

Come Back Soon
I will keep you up to date on the progress of the site and try my very best not to bore you to tears, ... well maybe I shouldn't make promises I cannot keep :)