Phase 0: current solution assessment and decision between remaining in a WordPress template vs. bringing the solution into a custom-built template in the institution’s content management system (CMS).

• Flexibility to build components using the same technologies the team uses on a daily basis; avoiding the need to shift into a WordPress setup and technologies.

• Workflows ability for editors, publishers, and administrators.

• Agility to scale the site by iterating on components and layouts vs. use of 3rd party plugins.

• Removed dependencies on 3rd party solutions – in many cases they were outdated, and the stories had holes over time as a consequence.

Phase 1: UX Research

• Coordinated this phase to conduct surveys (intercept), user interviews and feedback sessions in collaboration with our interaction designer.

• Assisted in removing barriers to empower the team to focus on the challenge rather than logistics.

• FIU News + FIU Magazine – as one site, smooth as possible.

Phase 2: MVP

• Information architecture established, led by our content strategists.

• Feedback sessions on the MVP’s prototype.

Phase 3: Deployment, training, validation and analysis

• news.fiu.edu 🎉 (2019)

Phase 4: iteration to include admin tools

• Admin portal created to manage drafts and reporting on a monthly basis – built internally for the team.

Phase 5: iteration to release new component and assess list of pending features

• Decided to halt the production cycle since the site was performing successfully and the learning curve for editors had been successfully completed.

• Many of the items in the list of features sounded like great ideas but they were not a fit in regard to the editor’s skillset or timelines.

Phase 6: On-going support and minor iterations

• Addition of new components on specific stories like a video banner embed and analysis to determine if it would be made available for all editors vs. a particular story.