8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 1/22

Word Up ± it¶s the code word«

Defra and WordPress

Simon Everest

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 2/22

Defra online: A brief history«

Inherited websites from MAFF and DETR

Mix of static content and bespoke apps

Mixed ownership, shared between

comms/marketing, library, policy and IT

No clear content strategy; organisation-driven, limited customer focus

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 3/22

Introduction to WordPress

First steps into Ministerial blogs, inherited

from DCLG« soon transferred to FCO

New Minister, new blog, but no platform«

WordPress

Cheap 3rd party host, some DNS changesand a rudimentary hacked theme ± online

within a week

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 4/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 5/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 6/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 7/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 8/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 9/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 10/22

Expansion

Tentative steps into WordPress as a CMS

Worked with Puffbox to develop microsites

for the UK Location Programme andScience Advisory Council

Press Office keen to develop their role

online ± 1st attempt at a media centre

BIS µinterim¶ WordPress site planted seed

of an idea«

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 11/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 12/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 13/22

 All change« May 2010

Agreement from Management Board to

launch of interim site, µfreeze¶ of old site

Interim site in preparation for µmachinery of government¶ changes - WordPress

Shared infrastructure, hosted by Cabinet

Office/Steria/TheClub

Contained news, speeches, statements,

and new policy only

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 14/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 15/22

From a small seed«

Decision taken to move corporate website to

WordPress agreed with Management Board

Our vision«

 ± Small core site, centrally managed, high-quality

content matching customer and business priorities

 ± Modular construction, with dedicated themes for defined content types, and ability to devolve low value

or narrow audience content publishing

 ± Flexible and rapid development to match

Departmental requirements

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 16/22

Making it happen

Commissioned Puffbox to develop theme

Commissioned new content, edited by in-

house DirectGov and Biz Link editors

Began search for hosting solution

Began planning for major DNS changes

Began communicating change to

Department

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 17/22

Hosting

Hosting options from IBM (our IT supplier),

Steria/TheClub and FCOS considered

Tight timeline to move from µtemporary¶host required expedited decision-making«

FCOS chosen on combination of cost and

µfit¶ with requirements: closest match with

3rd party ISP equiv, but consistent with

µshared services¶ in government approach

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 18/22

Content development

Very limited migration« new content

structured around customers, and where

possible, business priorities embedded Top line information ± to be kept brief, in a

common structure ± 130 pages (so far)

Top down, not bottom up

µOld¶ static site locked prior to archival

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 19/22

Go live

Moved from Steria to FCOS on 4 October 

Currently at ww2.defra.gov.uk

µCore¶ site and media centre themes fully

functional

Site responsive, easy to manage

Very different to working in Dreamweaver 

 ± BETTER!

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 20/22

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 21/22

Future plans

Move static site to archive.defra.gov.uk and

reclaim www.defra.gov.uk

New theme for µpublications¶

Integration of µcommentariat¶-style sites

Comment-based feedback

Devolved publishing

Leverage WordPress core functionality, not just

replicate what we had before«

8/8/2019 WordUp - Simon Everest - Defra Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/wordup-simon-everest-defra-final 22/22

The end

Any questions?