Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

lessons.wildfire.gov

My Role

  • Lead UX Designer

  • Lead UI Designer

  • Assistant Project Manager

Customer/Stakeholders

  • Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

  • United States Department Of The Interior

  • United States National Park Service

  • United States Forest Service Fire Division

  • United States Department Of Agriculture

Project Objectives 

  • Set up a robust development environment: Establish a standardized development environment that facilitates collaboration, testing, and iterative design.

  • Integrate the USWDS Drupal theme: Leverage the USWDS theme to ensure a consistent, accessible, and visually appealing design.

  • Design and implement global elements: Define and create essential global elements, such as headers and footers, that contribute to a cohesive and intuitive user experience.

  • Develop core page templates: Design and build Drupal Twig templates for the homepage, internal static pages, and internal dynamic pages, aligning with the new design vision.

Site-Specific Functionality

  • Reconfigure existing forms: Adapt Drupal 9 forms to enable the existing share functionality and ensure a smooth user experience.

  • Implement subject thread discussions: Create a new feature allowing users to create discussion sections and list content as subject threads.

  • Enable content notifications: Develop backend functionality to notify opt-in or opt-out users when new content is created.

  • Integrate social media syndication: Enable seamless content sharing to popular social media platforms.

  • Validate data migration: Verify the accuracy and integrity of data imported into the new Drupal 9 site.

Requirements

  • Build a scalable and accessible site: Ensure the LLC site is accessible to users worldwide, regardless of their technology skills or experience.

  • Maintain browser compatibility: Design the site to be fully functional across all major browsers, providing a consistent experience for users.

  • Prioritize accessibility: Adhere to accessibility standards to accommodate users with disabilities and ensure inclusivity.

  • Meet functional requirements: Ensure the new platform meets the primary functional capabilities outlined by the business.

Results

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Results 〰️

Results

  • The project successfully delivered a modernized, accessible, and user-centered website experience.

  • By migrating the LLC website to Drupal 9 and integrating it with the USWDS theme, we created a platform that not only adheres to government accessibility standards but also provides a visually appealing and intuitive interface for users.

Key accomplishments

  • Enhanced User Experience: The new website offers a streamlined navigation, intuitively guiding users to the information they need. We implemented a user-friendly discussion forum feature, fostering engaging conversations and knowledge sharing among visitors.

  • Improved Functionality: The website now boasts a robust content management system, streamlining content creation and updates. The integration of social media sharing has significantly increased online visibility and engagement.

  • Enhanced Performance and Reliability: By migrating to AWS, we have substantially improved website speed and uptime, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience for visitors worldwide.

  • Accessibility: The website is fully accessible, accommodating users with disabilities and ensuring compatibility across various browsers and devices.

  • Data Integrity: A thorough data migration process was executed, preserving critical information while maintaining data accuracy and consistency.

Key changes

  • Focused on User Experience: Emphasized the user-centered aspects of the project, such as intuitive navigation and engaging discussions.

  • Stronger Verbs and Phrasing: Used more impactful verbs and phrasing to highlight the benefits and improvements.

  • Highlighting Key Features: Emphasized the specific features that enhance the user experience and functionality.

  • User-Focused Language: Used language that directly relates to the user's experience and perspective.