Decommissioning

When a website is no longer required it is taken off the live server and content is archived. This process is known as 'decommissioning'.

A site may be due for decommissioning (retirement) when:

an agency or department changes its name and structure
a similar site is merged with the site
the information and services provided by the site are no longer relevant to that government portfolio and the user audience.

Tell Me About?

When government agencies assess the effectiveness of the information and services they provide online, they may find that some websites have become outdated, irrelevant or are no longer required. This may then lead to agencies reaching a business decision to ‘decommission’ or ‘retire’ the website.

The lifecycle of agency websites includes a regular process of evaluation. This involves assessing the effectiveness of an agency’s online services and measuring performance and success to understand the:

relevance to the needs of users
alignment to agency/government strategy
security risks and issues
currency and accuracy of content
scope and use of available technical infrastructure.

Following the process of evaluation a business decision may be taken by an agency to consolidate a number of websites or close particular websites, leading to a decommissioning process.

The reasons to decommission a website may be influenced by a range of factors. These may include the following:

Integration of service delivery: Information and services may be integrated with information and services provided by other areas of the agency or by another area in government.
Program completion: Some websites may be established to support a particular activity, and are not required when the activity is completed.
User or business needs not met: An analysis of site usage, user feedback and website evaluation may find that user and business needs are no longer being met. For information about user feedback, see Testing Websites with Users Better Practice Guide. and evaluation of business needs see Website Usage Monitoring and Evaluation Better Practice Guide.
Infrastructure and operational costs: Where separate websites are supported by different infrastructures and operational units, it might be more cost effective to consolidate and close one or more websites.
Lack of support: If the website is no longer adequately supported, it may be appropriate to close it and move the useful content to another website that is supported.
Machinery of Government changes: Administrative changes may involve the transfer of functions between agencies or the closure of some agencies.

The website decommissioning process needs to be managed appropriately to minimise risks, meet business objectives and to ensure that full and accurate records are created and managed to support the Australian Government and the interests of the Australian community.

Why Must I?

The lifecycle of agency websites includes a regular process of evaluation. This involves assessing the effectiveness of an agency’s online services and measuring performance and success. See:

Measuring the Efficiency and Effectiveness of E-government (Australian National Audit Office. Audit Report, no 26, 2004-05)

Following the process of evaluation, a business decision may be taken by an agency to consolidate a number of websites or close particular websites, leading to a decommissioning process.