Janus Project Update

Planning GroupApril 6, 2000

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Agenda

• What is the Janus project?• Status of the April edition• Planning for the September edition• Design/functionality overview• Discussion, input, questions

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Janus Project : <my.umich.edu>

• The Web interface to U-M information, resources, and services

• A new generation of Web applications

• A CIO Office projectmanaged by the Planning Group

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Introduction : Current “Gateway”• Upside

– Much viewed– High production values– Extensive content– Externally praised

• Downside– Hard to find things– Passive “look and feel”– Incomplete– Structure tied to U-M

organization– Internally criticized

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Introduction : Communities & Needs• Internal audiences

– Faculty, students, and staff– Browse and search through internal information– Consistent navigation in “University cyberspace”– Convenient access to core applications

• “Prospective” audiences– High school students, their parents, donors– University information– School and college program information– Materials for parents– Specific data and interests for prospective donors

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Introduction : Communities & Needs• Athletics, alumni, and hospital

audiences– Athletic fans– Alumni seeking services– Patients seeking medical services

• Other external audiences– Non-U-M researchers and colleagues– Other visitors

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Vision : Why Now ?

• User needs and interest are high(the Internet is hot!)

• A university’s web presence has become a measure of its quality

• Institutional IT coordination at U-M enables greater cooperation

• Web technology has progressed

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Vision : Results

• A better Gateway

• A portal for some audiences

• Bring together many data sources(inside and outside university)

• Integrated Web access to applications

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Vision : Deliver Value

• Efficiency to individuals in audiences

• Information sharing for schools, colleges, and departments

• Perhaps provide graphical guidelines and templates

• Perhaps e-commerce

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Plans : The “April Edition” of Janus• Four short-term goals

– Prototype portal– Establish advisory teams – Improve U-M Gateway– Develop requirements for fall

• Research and requirements– Conduct reviews and analyses with

leadership and focus groups– Select information architecture approach

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Plans : The “April Edition” of Janus• Designing to users’ needs

– Identity or brand

– Content and information architecture

– Navigation and browsing

– Searching

– User customization

• Phased implementation with WebObjects– Front-end design

– Back-end access to data sources

– Integration of services

– Customization and personalization

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Plans : University Participation

• Faculty advisory groups — steering and advising

• UM technical staff — research, design and implementation

• Students — participation in design and evaluation

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Prototype Design Overview

• Integration of services– Bring information together– Integrate information,

resources, and services– Add functionality

• Consistent presentation– Consistent experience– Easy to use

• Customize/personalize– Deliver content based on your

preferences– Role-based and/or individual

customization

• Security, accessibility, and self help– Keeping it private – Address special needs– Get yourself out of trouble!

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Any Questions ?

Q and A