Who owns your website? It’s a simple question that prompts many more: Who sets your editorial direction? Who controls access to your CMS? Whom do you go to when you need a microsite? Who decides what goes on your homepage?
The best website governance models answer these questions by offering the right balance of oversight and support. Campuses need processes and policies for effective and sustainable website management. And individuals who write, produce, and edit site content need training and tools.
Website governance is a blueprint — an intentional, specific plan for who does what, when, and how. Be aware: Figuring out the plan is only the first part of website governance. No model, framework, or structure will substitute for the ongoing communication between the people involved in your website.
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Often, discussions about governance start this way: “Okay, I know I need governance. But do I need a website advisory committee?”
Three reasons you might:
Two reasons you might not:
Considerations when planning for a website advisory committee:
What is the charge of the committee?
The charge, or charter, is the purpose of the committee — it outlines what it does, and what it doesn’t do. You also will need to determine if the committee is truly advisory or actually the final authority for decisions about the website. The website advisory committee could:
How large is the ideal committee?
Keep it as small as you can get away with. Avoid the typical Noah’s ark, two-by-two approach where every division has to send one representative. Large committees are typically not successful: They create more scheduling difficulties (nightmares!), require more time for getting feedback, and are more likely to resort to consensus-based decision-making. Committees get large because we view them as the only way to offer feedback and suggestions. If your governance plan includes other feedback options, you’ll be able to control the size of your website advisory committee.
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