UL Website Redesign Project
- Leslie, Danica R.
The Website Redesign is a two-phase project that will secure the technology infrastructure, redesign the site for a better user experience, and provide website governance to content owners.
Phase I: Technology Rebuild & Design Refresh
Overview: This project serves as foundational work that will support the long-term sustainability of UL sites and allow our web developers to move to a more incremental approach where we regularly release targeted improvements to features, website accessibility, and user experience.
Scope:
Move from UL-hosted to vendor-hosted infrastructure
Upgrade Drupal versions (7 to 9)
Update site design based on PM Collective mockups gathered by the previous Website Redesign Committee in 2019.
WAWG-led deliverables: first draft UL Lexicon, digital presence Guiding Principles, Content Maintainer governance process
Timeline:
4/3/23: Alpha Test Site Launch for internal UL feedback
5/1/23: Beta Test Site Launch for public feedback
6/24/23-6/28/23: Content freeze on current site
7/31/23: Production Site Go-Live
Phase II: Information Architecture Review & Web Content Guidelines
Overview: Following up on the foundational work done in phase I, this phase of the project will focus on our updated brand, accessibility, and user experience. A contracting team with UX/UI expertise will be brought in to audit the site, build user journey maps, and propose new designs and guidelines based on best practices. This will be a collaborative initiative with the newly formed Website Advisory Working Group.
Scope:
Audit for accessibility and user experience
Improve brand alignment and a write a brand manual
Propose updated, user-centered design and UI inventory
WAWG-led deliverables: finalize UL Lexicon, digital presence Guiding Principles, Content Maintainer governance process
Timeline:
Summer and Fall 2023: Finalize the contractor team and onboard them
2024: Prioritizing and implementing suggestions in 2024
Please refer to DSI’s weekly release notes for website updates.