Participants in the stakeholder workshop discussing the different user groups for our website.
Participants in the stakeholder workshop discussing the different user groups for our website.

First stakeholder workshops kick off

We hosted two workshops  to develop some of the usability aspects of the new website. The workshops were run by user experience (UX) specialists from Squiz.

Representatives came from Faculties, Marketing, Macquarie International, Campus Life, Media and Communications, Higher Degree Research, Alumni, Student Advocacy and Support, Equity and Diversity and the Library.

The workshop  activities covered:

  • website objectives
  • defining a value proposition
  •  reviewing user-centric criteria
  • identifying user tasks and information needs
  •  a review of the current website.
Discussing user groups
Discussing user groups

Identifying user groups

During the workshops, participants discussed the different user groups that our new website will target. Some of the groups identified were:

  • Future students – both domestic and international
  • Parents of future students
  • Alumni
  • Academics
  • Researchers
  • Visitors to the university
  • School partners
  • The global community.

Defining a value proposition

Defining a value proposition
Defining a value proposition

Participants were also given the task of identifying  value propositions for different audiences of the new website.

An example of one participant’s response to this activity was:
“Our website GRABS students [and helps them] to break free, confirming their choice to be someone different”

How we will use this information

The feedback from these workshops will be used along with other information to:

  • align stakeholder objectives and high level site requirements
  • agree on the site purpose and goals for business and end users
  • define the user value proposition
  • identify user-centric design criteria and KPIs
  • agree on user groups needed to finalise personas
  • clarify key user tasks and information needs
  • identify current pain points.