SharePoint Redesign

In March 2023, the UX Team was asked to update and enhance SharePoint (the library’s intranet).

Research Questions

• How do staff use SharePoint?
• How can the information architecture, design, and usability of SharePoint be improved?
• And how can we ensure our cleanup work is sustained?

Methods

• Reviewed other SharePoint sites on campus and beyond (February – April 2023) 
• Conducted a complete content inventory and audit (April - June 2023) 
• Conducted online self-directed usability test (open card sort) open to all library staff (June 2023) 
• Designed a sandbox and conducted usability testing with a sample of library staff (August 2023) 
• Conducted online self-directed usability test (first click test) open to all library staff and requested more specific feedback from participants from previous usability test (August 2023) 
• Redesigned sandbox and decided on the final design (September 2023) 

Notable changes to SharePoint

• Organized the site into three main buckets: Home page, Committees & Projects, and Teams
• Completely redesigned the homepage: adding buttons, lists and quick links, and removing the navigation menu
• Created new document libraries for archiving files and folders
• Archived, weeded, moved, and removed files, folders and subsites
• Developed two documents: Library SharePoint Management Policy and Library SharePoint Guidelines for Use

Recommendation

• A Library SharePoint Content Administrator should be appointed who is responsible for maintaining the site, preserving the information architecture, and adhering to (and developing) relevant library policies