Content Management

As more government services become available online, additional text, files, images, scripts, etc. are made available on websites. These websites are becoming increasingly complex, and ensuring that the content is managed appropriately is a growing challenge - especially in organisations that have extensive websites or have a range of areas responsible for different parts of a website. Further reinforcing the challenges in managing government sites are the growing expectations of visitors regarding the quality and usefulness of sites.

From an external user's perspective, content management involves ensuring that the information provided is correct, timely and accurate. Also, site users should be able to quickly and easily find information and navigate through the site.

Content management also involves the appropriate management of sites 'behind the scenes', including ensuring that links are not broken, that authoring processes are working and that material is appropriately stored or archived.

Tell Me More?

Failure to effectively manage site content can have a number of ramifications:

• Legal exposure if users act upon incorrect or outdated information on the site and incur a loss. Organisations may also be legally liable if statutory requirements, such as accessibility, are not met. Note that this liability applies to websites as well as corporate intranets.
• Negative impact upon reputation and branding, due to poorly designed and structured sites.
• Other public relations and political issues caused by the release of untimely, inaccurate or inappropriate information.
• Increased customer complaints and support costs, due to inaccurate or misleading published information.
• Negative impact upon staff productivity, primarily due to time spent searching for information on poorly designed or poorly managed intranets.

Why Must I?

There are no mandatory Australian Government requirements for this topic.

How Do I?

• Managing Online Content (AGIMO, Better Practice Checklist)

Who Can Help?

For queries and assistance contact:

Better Practice
Australian Government Information Management Office
Department of Finance and Deregulation
better.practice@finance.gov.au

What's Related?

• Information Management
• Content Management System Selection
• Content Management System Implementation