User research was conducted to evaluate a proposed new design for the BIS website and inform its optimal information architecture. Methods included workshops and one-on-one sessions testing an interactive prototype. Key findings were that the top-level navigation works well but the scope and purpose of BIS is unclear. Users expect to easily find the latest updates and news on the homepage as well as information clearly defining each department's mission and actions. The classification of policies requires clarification as regulations are sometimes difficult to locate.
2. Executive Summary Amberlight are a specialist user centred design consultancy, that have been commissioned by the BIS to conduct research to inform the following goal: Evaluate proposed new design for BIS website and inform optimal information architecture Approach: 6 two-hour workshops 7 one-to-one sessions to test interactive prototype Top-line findings Methodology User sample: 27 users in workshops (6 target groups) 7 users in one to one sessions Ways to access the content: E-mail alerts primary, then Search (Google and internal search engine), bookmarks, then navigation within the site. Consider to add personalised links to the homepage (in "I need to"): history of pages visited, and some content selected according to the same principle as selecting content for the e-mail alerts. Also, consider to allow users to customise the home page orgainsation like on the bbc site or iGoogle. Home page prototype look and feel: The new layout is "clear", "corporate", but tabs are less legible than on the current version. Could look more like a government site. Does not look innovative. Users need to better understand what BIS covers, what is a "partner", and who does what. Users would like an advanced search. Top level navigation categories work well. No consensus on policies classification. Different target audiences have different expectations. Two-level classification may clarify the organisation and strengthen the “Policy” part of the BIS. It is not obvious for users that regulations can be found in policies. Users need to identify quickly the types of content (e.g. speeches, regulation, policies) in the search results. Specific requests by Media users: Media resources (pictures, videos, etc). Specific request by Specialist managers: classification of the content by sectors and profession.
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58. Trees according to audiences Political Stakeholders Specialists Media Lobbyists Delivery BIS staff
