OU Web Communications

    Resources - Content Management System

    Content Management System (CMS)

    The current version of the Day Communiqué CMS was implemented in November 2007. This system allows users without technical knowledge to update, manage and maintain sites. Though there are other content management systems currently being used on campus, Communiqué is an enterprise-level CMS that offers:

    • Scalability
    • Centrally located hardware
    • Workflow
    • Web-based
    • Integrated with LDAP
    • Campus Media Library


    Migration Plan

    There are several steps for migrating a site into the Content Management System. These include:

    1. Design

    A site can be created from scratch based on existing wireframe templates customized for use in the CMS. Sometimes, a current site can be modified to fit within the templates. Either way, a creative brief must be completed first to help identify the major goals of the site.

    Predesigned templates are also available and offer a quicker migration.

    pdf iconDownload the creative brief

    pdf iconDownload wireframe templates

    View available predesigned templates

    2. Information Architecture (IA)

    IA is a combination of site structure and content mapping. Departments should consider what pages go where in the site and what content goes into these pages.

    pdf iconDownload IA recommendations

    3. Content Planning

    Unless they're reading a full article, site visitors tend to scan content, forgoing superfluous text. Is your important information easy to find? Is the navigation full of keywords that users expect?

    pdf iconDownload Writing for the Web guide

    4. Content Migration

    Using the Information Architecture and text written specifically for the Web, departments enter content in the CMS.

    pdf iconDownload CMS training documentation

    5. Usability Testing

    Web sites can't be launched and forgotten. Usability testing is the key in discovering what works and doesn't work on a site according to a target audience.

    Download Usability Testing Guide (zip)