Professional Project Report

Professional Project Report



Table of Contents

Table of Contents2

1.Introduction3

2.Background4

3.Process4

3.1.Preparation4

3.2.Workshop5

3.3.Analysis and reporting of results6

4.Websites analysed6

5.Findings7

5.1.Number of links from the homepage7

5.2.Site organisation9

5.3.Consistent sub-web navigation features10

5.4.Supplementary navigational tools and support14

5.5.Search features18

6.Conclusion19

Professional Project Report

Introduction

This report provides an overview of the findings of the Information Architecture Working Party's analysis of competitive sites undertaken on 5 May 2006.

This report will be a one source of information used to assist the development and assessment of information architecture solutions.

Background

Competitive analysis involves assessing websites within the same industry. It adds to our understanding of the Flinders University context. Context is one of three key elements in informing good information architecture.

As stated by Withrow (2006) the benefits of competitive analysis include:

Understanding the competition

Building domain knowledge (or understanding of the industry)

Identifying best practices

Expanding dialogue and the possibilities

Process

Preparation

A background paper was provided to Information Architecture Working Party members on 21 April 2006. It outlined the benefits of competitive analysis and provided an overview of the process that would be undertaken as part of the workshop.

In addition, the background paper provided an outline of previous studies undertaken on University websites. These include:

An analysis of navigation and content on University homepages from Australia, Canada, United States of America, South-East Asia and Europe undertaken by Ruwoldt and Spencer (2005) of the University of Melbourne. In their paper titled Navigation and content on University homepages, Ruwoldt and Spencer identified the current emerging industry standard in relation to information architecture on University home pages.

An assessment of the information architecture and usability of 16 Australian University web sites undertaken by Graeme Phillipson and published by On Campus in April, 2006.

Workshop

At the workshop an overview of the task was provided by the Web Project Officer. Working Group members then formed into 3 groups.

Each group was assigned two sites to analyse. A checklist (Attachment 1) was provided to the groups as part of a structured assessment process. This checklist is based on good information architecture principles and previous studies of University websites. Groups were also asked to discuss and record their overall opinions on the sites they assessed.

Groups were allocated 45 minutes to undertake this exercise. The working party then reconvened and each group presented its findings, which were discussed amongst the working party.

Analysis and reporting of results

The Web Project Officer used the checklists and notes from the workshop to analyse and report on the results.

A draft of this report was subsequently written and emailed to working party members on 10 May 2006 for feedback by close of business 15 May 2006. Subsequently, this final report was prepared.

Websites analysed

The University websites selected for this analysis include: sites that are considered to provide good information architecture examples; and the sites of direct competitors.

These websites are:

1.Monash University - www.monash.edu.au

2.Melbourne University - www.melbourne.edu.au

3.La Trobe University - www.latrobe.edu.au

4.University of Woollongong - www.ouw.edu.au

An analysis of the Flinders University website, using the same checklist was undertaken by the Web Project Officer subsequent to the workshop.

Findings

Number of links from the homepage

The number of links on the homepage is an interesting navigational ...