[Research] Investigate Get There ATX website staff experience

[amenity]

Description

Take some initial steps to rethinking the ROW webpage on the COA website by looking at an external website getthereatx.com.

• Who at TPW manages and maintains the content?
• Who built the site, what are they like to work with?
• Have they had any challenges with usability - either the public or staff...
• How are they able to host an external site?

Notes

• Potential contacts include: Alicia, Lauren R.

[amenity]

@patrickm02L - will you be able to do this this sprint? cc/ @TracyLinder

[patrickm02L]

@amenity yes, who was the contact you mentioned again?

[amenity]

Super, thanks. You can submit a PIO request to meet with Noelle C. and Elysia P.

[patrickm02L]

1/29

Submitted PIO request to meet, deadline 2/6/24

[patrickm02L]

2/5

Attendance: Jacob B, Patrick

Meeting Topics

Overview

• GetThereATX is hosted on WP Engine platform
• Meant to improve user experience and interactivity for sustainable transportation options
• An aggregator for social media content and updates
• Original website development by Cultural Strategies, they no longer have involvement in maintenance and updates
• Use of Illustrator for page design creation
• Though it's an external site there were no issues related to privacy or security

Website Development and Management

• The timeline for creating a new website could range from 6-12 months, depending on project complexity and content volume
• Emphasis on the importance of clear direction and content readiness to avoid delays
• Maintenance happens on a monthly basis with a marketing contractor, Sue Ellen
• Costs for set up (edit mode), cost for yearly ongoing maintenance (edit mode)
• Refresh of the site coming in March 2024

Next Steps

• [x] Consult with PIO: Schedule a meeting with the Public Information Officer (PIO) to discuss potential updates to the Right of Way website.

[amenity]

Nice, thanks @patrickm02L!

[patrickm02L]

3/4/24 Update

Chatted with PIO on 2/6/24

Jack F, Jeff S, Dana

The main takeaways included:

• Discussed streamlining the City of Austin website due to its cluttered and difficult navigation
• Emphasized the need for a user-friendly and accessible digital front door
• Talked about potentially creating a totally independent site
• Discussed improving the city's content management system, noting limitations with the current Drupal CMS and the need for a more streamlined system.

Action Items

• [x] Create a diagram/map of the ROW webpages to see page connections
• [x] Reach out to Development Services CPIO to ask about their work with the city web pages

Chatted with DSD PIO on 2/22/24

Jennifer W.

The different tools that DSD PIO uses to help with improving their web pages include:

• Google Analytics to track page visits and determine which links to prioritize
• Site Improve plugin for Drupal to identify broken links and pages that need review
• SharePoint list to track every web page and assign subject matter experts for quarterly updates
• Project Request Form can be submitted by staff to submit requests for updates between the quarterly cycles
• PowerPoint for initial page layout mockups
• Adobe Creative Suite like Illustrator for some design work

Action Items

• [x] Request resources to share
  • [x] guide for quarterly update process
  • [x] guide for accessibility
  • [x] guide for uploading documents

[patrickm02L]

3/4/24

I'm tracking the ROW web pages break down here, and will continue to documents what I find and build out Issues #15013.

Considering this investigation closed.