You know you’re doing something wrong with your council website when you mostly say ‘YES’ to this list Are you a web manager or just someone who wishes to know how your local council website is performing? Or maybe just a curious observer of public services online? If you are, you should continue reading…. Good,Read… Read more »
Last year, I started a group exclusively for local govvies on Huddle called LocalGovWebStars with some help from a good local gov buddy of mine, Ken Eastwood (Assistant Director at Barnsley MBC and founder of publicsectornomads.com) to talk about website redesign projects in local gov. The group resulted in some very interesting discussions and tips.Read… Read more »
It seems many of us are working on all sorts of different stuff nowadays. I’ve been listening to everything that’s going on in local government and feeling quite overwhelmed with how much is going on (even with the budget cuts!). We still have lots to worry about but with even fewer resources. There are aRead… Read more »
Frustration There is nothing more frustrating than being in government right now if you are looking for change or motivation in your work. With almost no funding available, fewer colleagues to carry the burden, feeling of loss and uncertainty, we are facing an all time low. Everyone knows that with fewer resources, it makes itRead… Read more »
I want to tackle the intersection of User-Centred Design (UCD) and Agile. I’ll start by saying I am fundamentally not an Agile detractor. I respect and appreciate the need for process to help shape and deliver complex projects. When it comes to UCD I am a strong believer in designing the ‘right’ thing for theRead… Read more »
Government websites are mostly terrible, not because they lack a slick design, but because they are trying to be all things to all people. The goal of these steps is to maximize the chances that your visitors quickly find what they are looking for. 1) Avoid offering a menu of unrelated choices on your homeRead… Read more »
Cross-posted from: http://usability4government.wordpress.com/2010/03/27/ Originally created for Girl Geek Dinner in Ottawa, you can use this tutorial to start a discussion about how you can integrate usability principles into your website planning at your department or organization. Alternatively, re-use the prezi to create your own presentation. If you do, I’d love to know about it. TheRead… Read more »
This user insight comes from the user research conducted for London Borough of Camden in the UK. You can visit the website redesign project development site here. View full post here. Over the past few months, I’ve been getting myself acquainted with my new Job at Camden Council and learning the ropes. I’ve been broughtRead… Read more »
Jakob Nielsen has noted that it’s now twenty years since he started what he calls the ‘discount usability movement’. This might be egging it a wee bit, I’m not sure there is such a ‘movement’ apart from that which Nielsen promotes. It’s true that major companies use discount usability tactics – I noted before howRead… Read more »
Following the almost universally badly received launch of the new Birmingham City Council website local developer Mark Steadman posted a challenge on his blog: Why don’t those who are busy complaining and building independent fixes to problems that only concern people who know or care what hashtags are*, get together and build an alternative CouncilRead… Read more »