Targeting (who) and formats of publication (how)

[noraferreiros]

This is the most essential of the discussions because it will shape the entire project: how we are going to publish the guidelines and who are we going to talk to. After some meetings, we have clear that one conditions the other, so we will keep the discussion together until we organically need different issues (if that is the case).

Here is a summary of what we have so far:

👥 TARGETING Some thoughts that have come up on this.

• How will each profile find the information, and can we ensure that all will access it?
• Should the format, location, or structure of the content be different for each profile?
• Should we start with one user group and expand to others later to avoid slowing down the project?
• Is it necessary to have different content for developers and designers, or can they be combined under a single “professional users” profile?
• Which group stands to benefit the most from web sustainability practices?
• Should we avoid segmenting users and focus on providing generalist information that is useful to everyone?

Proposed approaches.

• Three different levels for different expertises: basic user (non-professionals), independent user (professionals non-developers) and proficient user (basically, developers). Variation: Limiting it to two approaches: basic users and professionals.
• Divide the information not according to types of users, but by subject matter, and then establish actions from less to more complex.
• Let the formats decide the targeting.

🗒️ FORMAT Format proposals so far.

• A traditional handbook, similar to what we’ve created for more sustainable WordPress events.
• More intuitive and hands-on formats like “101s” and tutorials.
• A referential format that points to existing documentation on web sustainability.
• Courses or tutorials for Learn WordPress.
• A format that provides the Sustainability plugin users with specific information for issues as they arise.
• A format adaptable for publishing on the Developer Blog.
• Include a “not-fun-facts” introduction section, similar to this example.

🧠 TO KEEP IN MIND It's more important to do this project real than perfect. The priority is to choose an approach that is suitable to the resources we currently have. Projects evolve and we expect this one to do so. So, drop your feedback taking into account that the objective of this discussion is to lay the groundwork for the project so that it can grow from there and scale over time as more contributors join.

📚 Check where this info comes from here, here, here and here.

[CeliGaroe]

Hi! After considering the options, I think I vote for the second approach: Divide the information not according to types of users, but by subject matter, and then establish actions from less to more complex. But with a clear division, so people can pay attention only to things they can do.

Regarding the format, I would go for a format that provides the Sustainability plugin users with specific information for issues as they arise. But of course, this is not an exact answer, just what I think we should have in mind when formatting the info. Perhaps we should go for what we can do easier/faster with the resources (including human resources) we have and then moving that information to a more intuitive format when we have the opportunity.

[LittleBigThing]

I think it has been mentioned once during a team chat but we have looked at the structure of the accessibility handbook during Yoast’s contributor day with @marinakoleva, @YellowlimeNL and @Nahuai and its structure is interesting: hands on, not really based on type of user, more on theme, so I'd like to mention it here.

It is split up into:

• (Basic)
• Development
• Design
• Content

These seem to be understandable categories that different users can easily associate with. They relate to the categories made in the Web Sustainability guidelines as well:

• (Basic) = rest? :-)
• Development = Web Development (and Hosting and Infrastructure)
• Design = UX Design
• Content = Business Strategy & Product Management?