Penn State Information Technology Site
Project Type
site redesign, content strategy
Contributions
user research, content strategy, user journey
Project Team
project manager, UX designer, graphics designer
Challenge
After 18 months of remote and blended learning in response to the coronavirus pandemic, senior leadership requested a redesign of the university’s information technology site, with the caveat that it be completed in time for the fall semester.
Solution
We eliminated a full content audit to accomplish this redesign on such a tight timeline. Instead, we focused on identifying primary audiences and their needs and redesigned the information architecture accordingly. Critical content was identified through user research, conversations with leadership, and data collected via web analytics. The final site design presents IT services and additional content in a common-sense way for our multiple Penn State audiences.
Additional design phases will incorporate individual services and, as a stretch goal, connect with the Penn State service platform, ServiceNow.
Impact
- DubBot governance reporting scores at 95%- 97%.
- Site analytics show the percentage of new versus returning visitors has remained consistent, though bounce rate has changed significantly.
- Staff and student page views are up substantially with the improved the user experience for our target audiences,
- Anecdotal evidence suggests a greater satisfaction in the overall site design.
The new site is one of the first steps we’re taking to improve our overall strategy for managing Penn State IT’s web presence moving forward, with consistent, on-brand messaging and a more seamless user experience. I think it represents our organization well!
