Website review and high level roadmap

The project issues
Allerdale Borough Council’s website received only a C+ rating in the 2006 Better Connected report. The Council’s objectives include the ability to make cost and efficiency savings and to take the pressure off other service delivery channels. Significant benefits in this respect can be achieved by providing a fully transactional website, which provides users with a self-service capability. Socitm Consulting was asked to review the present situation and to provide recommendations for achieving these goals.

The Socitm Consulting solution
Socitm Consulting undertook a review of the Council’s website. This included:

• Review of the Better Connected report and supporting documentation
• Review of existing website
• Discussions with appropriate staff on how content is currently maintained
• Review of existing skills set
• Review of existing systems
• Review of problems and issues

The corporate view of the website was established and the service priorities within the wider strategy by:

• Meeting with management stakeholders and web group
• Understanding corporate management and strategic issues

Two reports were then prepared: the first explaining C+ and Transactional status and providing a roadmap of how to achieve T status; the second explaining Transactional and Excellent status and providing a roadmap of how to achieve an improved Better Connected rating, efficiency improvements in service delivery, potential cost savings etc. Both reports’ findings were presented and discussed.

The benefits to the client
By establishing a focused understanding of the position of the Council’s website within its wider service delivery priorities and providing a clear roadmap of how to improve the efficiency of the website according to national standards, Socitm Consulting was able to assist the Council in developing their future online transactional status.

Project identification
Client organisation name: Allerdale Borough Council
Client contact: Steve Brailey, e-Government Project Manager, 01900 702793, steve.brailey@allerdale.gov.uk
Lead consultant: andy.grant@socitmconsulting.co.uk
Project no: 5787