Baby Got Backend: Content Administrators are Users Too

Time slot: 
March 9th, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Room: 
Chicago 6 & 7
Track: 
Design and UX
Experience: 
Beginner

Content administrators are the forgotten users of the internet.

The user experience field focuses on delivering usable, compelling experiences for end users — but doesn't always consider what will be required from the people who maintain the site each day.

Drupal developers sometimes forget that there are lots of people who use Drupal every day who don't know (and don't want to know) how Drupal works.

In this session, we'll focus on understanding the needs of content administrators, and provide solutions to make their jobs easier. By understanding how to map the content workflow, we can identify pain points or places where the flow breaks down.

Then, we can look for ways to simplify the admin interface. Sometimes, we can offer "quick wins" with modules that make the interface easier to use. Other times the problems are more difficult — but we'll suggest some ways to resolve these thorny problems too.

The end result is a better experience for ALL the users of the website — admins too.

Video at archive.org.

Intended audience: 

Drupal developers who are responsible for customizing the admin interface for content creators/editors. Also any attendees who themselves administer content on a regular basis.

Questions answered by this session
Question 1: 
Who are these people who use the Drupal admin interface, and what do they want from us?
Question 2: 
How can we create a better experience for content administrators by simplifying the admin interface?
Question 3: 
What techniques from user experience can we use to understand content tasks and workflow, so we know what to prioritize in the admin interface?
Question 4: 
What are "easy win" modules that make the admin look better or work more smoothly?
Question 5: 
What are techniques we've used on projects to solve wicked problems? How do we think about solving complex workflow challenges?
Baby Got Backend: Content Administrators are Users Too has been selected and voting is closed.

Diamond Sponsors

 
VPS NET
Palantir.net

Platinum sponsors

 
workhabit
Trellon

Gold Sponsors

 
Microsoft
Treehouse Agency
Drupal Connect
Duo
Chapter Three
HotDrupal.com
NorthPoint