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Planning the OSCE multilingual website

Planning the OSCE multilingual website. Where we started four months ago. what exists: a consistent English-language website comprising 35 websites of OSCE field operations and institutions, on a content management system, with a multilingual search engine and documents in multiple languages;

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Planning the OSCE multilingual website

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  1. Planning the OSCE multilingual website Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  2. Where we started four months ago • what exists: • a consistent English-language website comprising 35 websites of OSCE field operations and institutions, on a content management system, with a multilingual search engine and documents in multiple languages; • several websites in local languages, one mini-website in a second official language, all these not included in the general search; • the task: to move from one language to multiple languages; • the opportunity: to bring together scattered partial language versions and bring consistency across languages; Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  3. Plan: to bring in consistency across languages • plan the foundation: database and content management system that can host all language versions • plan the appearance and content: define audiences and purpose of the multilingual website (are there changes other than the aditional languages?) • plan the information architecture (is there a need to change?) Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  4. Example: a few implicit messages for the current websiteIs there need to change? What? Quality: - loads fast - spelling consistent and correct - graphics discreet but professional - fresh info available all the time - pages not outdated - accurate information Active: - not a 'talking shop' - regular changes to homepage items - main photos of field activities Comfort (call back users): -pages load fast - promises are kept (what is announced exists) Transparency: - almost all OSCE documents available - good search engine - clear navigation - timely information - answer to requests fast and polite - privacy policy clear Professional: - consistent editing, of good quality - high technical quality - good off-line services available (info, help) - consistent navigation and pages - graphics unobtrusive supporting content - no aggressiveness in presentation - webteam in control, homepage no battleground - no ego-trips allowed - focus on visitor - editor-led, not IT-led Focus on target audiences: - content for these audiences - plain and good English - clear navigation - main navigation bar focused on audiences Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  5. Step 1 of the plan: the concept paper • defined audiences and role • researched existing models of multilingual websites (back-end included), and software support for different languages • identified the two main types of websites in other languages: the global website (mainly the official languages) and local websites with information of local interest only; • narrowed down the technical solution (platform, two options for the cms, preferably tailor-made to support best workflow; rough plan for changes to the database, additional meta-data to database items); Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  6. Step 1 of the plan: the concept paper (cont) • defined the main policies, as they will be the core of the new workflow (the policies include responsibilities and roles) • consulted stakeholders and started to get agreement on the new concept (there is interest and demand of multilingualism, there is possible opposition to a centralised solution, there is push for quick solutions, postponing a sustainable solution) • included feed-back in the concept paper and will start lobbying for resources; the technical solution might be implemented with existing resources Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  7. Ideas to support consistency and efficiency • unify database and content management system • define clear workflow with roles for regional-central offices • plan multilingual search engine and interfaces • have a reference language on the global website (English): this means, all items must be in English too (as an exception, for documents or publications that do not exist in English, only a description in English will exist); Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  8. Ideas to support consistency and efficiency (cont) • for the local websites, clarify the types of local content needed, and ‘quarantine’ areas of such content, that may exist in the local language only • predefine navigation: allow for room for manoeuvre only within standardised areas, to ensure consistency; limit the levels of depth Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

  9. Timeline • planning: six months • implementation and migration: eighteen months Lucinia Bal-Doebel, November 2006

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