introducing new mais web feature: project and ul infocenters highlights of a new addition to the...

Introducing New MAIS Web Feature:Project and UL InfoCenters

Highlights of a new addition to the MAIS site with enhanced features created in response to customer and Unit Liaison feedback

This is what we heard…You need comprehensive information at your fingertips:– “…I can't answer every question and I don't know everything…”

We need to get to the point, faster:– “…clear, concise, you know that it’s important.”

You need a site you can share with your staff:– “ I'm gonna be counting on this site to be really super intuitive so that

when I go there I can find what I want. And I would hope that… there would be some focus groups and things with people who are not necessarily just the heaviest users, but also people who are not heavy users. Sometimes that's where I feel that there's a disconnect between MAIS and the user is that things are not always very intuitive…”

Our first response: The Project InfoCenter

What is the Project InfoCenter?Replaces “Projects” area of the MAIS Web site

Online resource for information related to strategic projects led by MAIS to support University priorities

Provides comprehensive information in a more intuitive way for people impacted by multiple projects/initiatives

Quick Access to other popular pages through “Quicklinks”

Search announcements, subscribe to News Feeds, tell us why information is (or is not) helpful

Integrates with the new UL InfoCenter

News Feeds—the beginning

– Technology that allows web publishers to deliver frequently changing content directly to you

– Learn more about this on our News Feeds page– Announcements, Training & Resources for a project will be

delivered into your “feed reader”– Benefits

• Stay informed without having to visit the Project InfoCenter every day.

• Check your feed reader for news at your convenience.

http://www.mais.umich.edu/project_infocenter/news_feeds.html#about

Redesigned area of the MAIS Web site, specifically for ULs

Your online resource:– Announcements

– Training & Resources

– Meetings, Agendas & Key Dates

Introducing the UL InfoCenter:

What we heard:You need a searchable email archive:– “I would like it if you…kept a copy of all the emails so I don’t have to keep a

copy of them.”

– “I'm getting way too many emails. And I tend not to read 'em or I'll just glance at 'em.”

You need help controlling the flow and organization of information:

– “It would be nice if we could decide what communications we got from MAIS…”

– “I must have 12 to 18 MAIS related folders…because there's so [much information] it makes it really hard to figure out and find things easily.”

We need to improve information integration:

– There are many overlapping area of activities which would benefit from further web integration… As many users default to the Help Desk, developing a more comprehensive site would seem a logical companion.

Enhancing – not subtractingQuicklinks

– Chartfield Converter

– MyLINC

– OARS

– Wolverine Access

Schedule of Meetings, Events, and UL Action Item Due Dates

Agendas for Upcoming and Recent UL Meetings (with links to handouts)

UL Resources

UL Document Repository

How is the UL InfoCenter different?Announcements

– Online archive of communications sent to ULs

– Google search enabled

Training & Resources– Online archive of resource

materials– Timely updates to coincide with

other “hot topics” (e.g. meeting materials, quick reference guides mentioned in email, etc.)

News Feeds– Announcements, training &

resources delivered to you as soon as they’re posted on the UL InfoCenter

Meetings, Agendas & Key Dates– Google calendar– Week, Month, or Agenda views– Integrates with new Project

InfoCenter

Opportunity for Feedback– Is this page helpful?

Tested by ULs and other Users

All of the participants stated that they would probably use the site.

Participant Feedback: clean, crisp, soft, organized, packaged, not too busy, simple enough, relaxing, subtle, pleasing, professional, few distractions, uncluttered, and inviting