Website Planning and Content Strategy Support
If you are considering a website refresh, content reorganization, migration, or other significant change, HWP can help assess the project's goals and recommend an appropriate path forward.
In some cases, that may include connecting the team with one of HWP's trusted consulting partners for support with content strategy, information architecture, user experience, or website planning.
When should I contact HWP?
Contact HWP when you are considering a significant website change and want guidance on next steps.
Common examples include:
- Refreshing or redesigning a website
- Reorganizing content or navigation
- Preparing for a migration
- Improving the user experience
- Better aligning a website with current goals and priorities
- Evaluating whether a new website or platform is needed
HWP can help assess your needs and determine whether additional consulting support would be beneficial.
What does a consulting partner actually do?
Every project is different, but most engagements begin by helping a School or Unit better understand its audiences, goals, and content.
A consulting partner may:
- Meet with stakeholders to understand goals and priorities
- Review existing content and website performance
- Conduct content audits and user research
- Evaluate information architecture and navigation
- Develop recommendations for content and user experience improvements
- Create site maps, wireframes, content models, or other planning artifacts
- Identify which recommendations can be implemented using HarvardSites
The result is typically a roadmap for improving the website, along with practical recommendations that support long-term website stewardship.
AI Content Strategy Assistant
HWP is currently piloting an AI tool that scans a page of your website and provides recommendations for clearer website content, stronger navigation, better information architecture, and accessibility-friendly publishing.
Please keep in mind that this is a pilot. The HWP team is here to help. If you have feedback about the assistant, feel free to use our feedback form or visit us during Office Hours.
What are the deliverables from a consulting partner?
Typical deliverables may include:
- Content strategy recommendations
- Audience and stakeholder findings
- Information architecture recommendations
- Site maps and navigation plans
- Wireframes or page-level recommendations
- Content governance guidance
- Implementation roadmaps and prioritization plans
Deliverables vary based on project goals and scope.
Who builds the website?
In most cases, you are responsible for implementing and building your site based on the recommendations from the consulting partner. In some cases, the consulting partner can help with content migration, website build, and other implementation tasks.
The outcome of a consulting engagement is typically a set of recommendations and implementation plans, not a completed website.
Typical projects focus on content, organization, and user experience that take advantage of the templates, components, and design patterns available in HarvardSites. This avoids costly custom design and development.
HWP can help teams understand what can be implemented within HarvardSites and discuss options for carrying recommendations forward.
Why does HWP work with consulting partners?
In the past, HWP provided custom project services directly. Today, HWP focuses on maintaining and evolving HarvardSites while helping Schools and Units make effective use of shared University platforms.
HWP can connect teams with expertise in content strategy, user experience, and website planning while continuing to provide guidance on Harvard web standards, governance, accessibility, and the HarvardSites platform.
How are consulting partners selected?
HWP maintains relationships with a small group of firms that have demonstrated expertise in higher education web strategy, content planning, and user experience.
Partners are selected based on the quality of their work, their understanding of Harvard's web publishing ecosystem, and their ability to develop recommendations that align with Harvard web standards and the HarvardSites Design System.
How do engagements work?
HWP can help you decide whether a consulting engagement is appropriate, and connect you with our trusted partners.
Consulting engagements are managed directly between the School or Unit and the partner firm. HWP is typically not involved in the consulting and strategy activities.
Scope, timelines, deliverables, and costs are determined by the client and the consulting partner based on the needs of the project.