U.S. Department of Agriculture eGovernment Program FSIS Web site Re-design Project Information Architecture Strategy October 8, 2003

U.S. Department of Agriculture

eGovernment Program

FSIS Web site Re-design Project

Information Architecture Strategy

October 8, 2003

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FSIS Website Re-Design Project

United States Department of AgricultureFood Safety and Inspection Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture eGovernment Program

I. Project and Design Meeting Schedule

II. Information Architecture Approach

III. Web Presence Initiative

IV. Navigation by Audience, Topic, and Task

V. Next Steps

Agenda

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Project Schedule

The following represents a high level timeline of activities for the re-design project:

Conduct Visioning Sessions

Create Audience Analysis

Perform Content Audit

Create Information Architecture Strategy

Create site map

Create Wireframes

Create Content for re-designed pages

Conduct Usability Testing

Create Look & Feel Design

Create Design Templates

Create Style Guide

Technical Design

vRep Installation and Configuration

Site and Application Development

Testing

SeptemberAugust October November December January

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Design Meeting Schedule

The table below outlines all FSIS Re-design Review meetings over the next 9 weeks:

Meeting Description Date Time LocationInformation Architecture Strategy Review Wednesday 10/8 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton Annex

Review Site Map & Wireframes Wednesday 10/15 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton Annex

Review Wireframes with Content for Usability Testing

Wednesday 10/22 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton Annex

Design Direction Review Wednesday 10/29 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton AnnexFSIS Usability Test(Directions will be provided)

Thursday, 10/30 8:00am – 6:30pm Accenture IDG Lab11951 Freedom DriveReston, VA

Review of updated Design Direction Wednesday 11/5 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton AnnexObtain signoff on Design Direction Wednesday 11/12 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton Annex

Design Template Review Wednesday 11/19 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton AnnexReview of updated Design Templates Wednesday 11/26 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton AnnexReview of updated Design Templates (if 11/26 meeting is cancelled)

Wednesday 12/3 1:30 – 3:00pm 524 Cotton Annex

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Information Architecture Approach

The re-designed Information Architecture was built upon information gained from:

FSIS Visioning Sessions• Agency representatives brainstormed and conceptualized goals of the re-design effort• Ideas from these meetings served as an overall blueprint for the information architecture

Audience Analysis• Program area experts guided understanding of consumers of agency services and information• Audience based information from personal interviews informed the creation of the navigation

scheme• Users will be able to access content specific to their interests and needs

Content Audit• The FSIS site was surveyed to better understand the current content and architecture of the

existing 13,000+ pages• This inventory of content provides a through map of the existing site, feeds the creation of a

more intuitive navigation structure, and ensures the inclusion of all necessary existing information

usda.gov and Web Presence projects• usda.gov is being re-designed concurrent to the FSIS re-design effort• Enterprise wide standards ensuring consistency across agencies has dictated some elements of

the new site architecture

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Existing Web Site Structure

The homepage drives navigation on the existing agency Web site. No global or local navigation schemes exist. By necessity, most content areas are accessed via lists of links on the front page.

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Re-Designed Web Site Structure

Global and local navigation options will link all content areas in the re-designed architecture. In this new structure, paths to desired content will be consistent and clear. Homepage real estate will be freed to highlight main content areas.

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Web Presence Initiative

FSIS is the first of 29 USDA agencies to follow Enterprise-wide web presence standards. Consistency across agency sites will create a sense of Departmental unity, legitimacy, and strength in the eye of the user.

Web presence standards include:

Consistent use of USDA branding graphics

Inclusion of customizable agency banner treatments

Adherence to 3 column page design

Standardized location and functionality of utility items

Use of repetitive navigation schemes including navigation by audience, topic, and task

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Web Presence Homepage Wireframe

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FSIS Audiences

A detailed audience analysis, including research and employee interviews, determined the users of FSIS online. The individual needs of user groups were considered in the design of the information architecture.

Constituent Groups• Regulations and Policies

• Food Recalls

• Constituent Updates

• Service Center Locations

Scientists and Researchers• Accredited Laboratories

• Testing Procedures

• Scientific Findings

• Regulations and Policies

Businesses• Regulations and Polices

• Inspection Information

• International Trade

• Field Offices

FSIS Employees• Technical and Professional Training

Information

• Agency Organizational Structure & Contact Information

• Regulations and Policies

• Employee Benefits Information

Consumers and Educators• Food Handling and Preparation

• Food Recalls

• Outbreak Information

• Food Safety Education

• Meat and Poultry Hotline

• Featured News Stories and Images

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Browse by Subject

Standardized subject based navigation options will be available to users from each page of the agency site. Highlighted subjects include:

Education- A significant segment of the agency’s risk asessment responsibility is education. This content includes technical training materials, as well as general food safety education topics.

• Professional Training

• Food Safety Education

Science- FSIS protects public health by enforcing policies grounded in science. This content includes food safety research, laboratory processes, and study outcomes listed in relevant reports.

• Accredited Laboratories

• Training Procedures

• Scientific Findings

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Browse by Subject

Regulations and Policies- FSIS is a regulatory agency. This content is designed for users interested in understanding and following the rules and regulations governing food safety.

• Regulations

• Inspections

• International Trade

Food Recalls- Products are recalled when found to be contaminated, adulterated, or misbranded. This content highlights active and archived recall cases.

• Procedures for Food Recalls

• Federal Cases– Active

• Federal Cases– Archive

• State Cases– Active

• FDA Recalls and Safety Alerts

• FSIS Newsletters and ListServs

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Browse by Subject

Newsroom- This content is a collection of news related materials. It is designed for users seeking agency related stories, images, and speeches.

• News Releases

• Meetings and Events

• Speeches

• Communication to Congress

• FSIS Newsletters and ListServs

• Image Libraries

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Common Tasks

In effort to increase customer service, a list of common online agency tasks has been compiled and built into the information architecture. Users can navigate the site based on their active intentions.

I Want to…

• Ask a Food Safety Question

• Take FSIS training

• Request FOIA information

• Subscribe to FSIS Newsletters or ListServs

• Locate a District Office

• Complete a Form

• Schedule a Food Mobile Visit

• Play a Food Safety Game

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Global Navigation

Global navigation schemes are available from each page on the FSIS site. Redundancy in navigation creates site familiarity and increased opportunity to access content.

( * ) mandated by web presence initiative

Publications• Backgrounders

• Food Safety Education and Consumer Information

• Periodicals and Newsletters

• Procedures, Policies, and Findings

Help*• A to Z Index

• FAQ’s

• Glossary

• Site Map

• Technical Support

Contact Us*

En Espanol*

Search*

About FSIS*• Welcome and Mission

• History

• Structure and Organization

• Leadership

• Associated Agencies and Partners

Careers• Current Openings

• Application Process

• Benefits Information

• Recruiter Information

• Employee Development

• Food Safety Fellows

Forms

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Next StepsThe Next Steps in the FSIS Re-design effort are:

Receive feedback on Information Architecture Strategy

Finalize Navigation Elements

Create new FSIS Site Map

Create FSIS Wireframes

Documents

U.S. Department of Agriculture eGovernment Program FSIS Web site Re-design Project Information Architecture Strategy October 8, 2003