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2.2 Roles in Web publishing

Guideline

New technology has changed some of the traditional roles involved in producing and disseminating Web information. The table below lists the roles in Web publishing.
Depending on the size and complexity of the site to be built (and maintained), one person may perform multiple roles. The list can also help ensure that all needed skills and responsibilities are represented on the Web site development team.

Role

Responsible for

Resources

Web site sponsor

  • requesting new Web site, system or redesign of existing one
  • establishing concept and business case
  • institutional/managerial support
  • budget allocation
  • clearance of key stages in site development

 

Business case for the site

Web site manager

  • defining site scope, content and specific requirements
  • commissioning content
  • technical quality, consistency and relevance of content
  • selecting technology for technical implementation
  • managing staff, workflow and project development
  • planning pre- and post-launch activities: maintenance, updates, promotion and evaluation
  • controlling budget

 

Information architect

  • organizing content areas and navigation based on user and project requirements
  • establishing applicable metadata standards, vocabularies to describe the site scope

 

User researcher

  • establishing key user-oriented features for accessing and using content
  • conducting user research, developing methodologies and analysing results
  • analysing site traffic and ongoing user satisfaction with the site

 

Site developer

  • programming site or system to deliver technical options

 

Interface designer

  • designing visual identity elements and user interface (e.g. navigation bars, graphics, general layout, forms and the reuse/customization of page templates)
  • preparing design briefs, graphics and photos

 

Author/
Content editor

  • defining content requirements and selecting content (e.g. documents, links, etc.)
  • researching, drafting and checking content for publication
  • checking technical content of materials supplied for accuracy, relevance for site audience, originality

FAO House Style

FAOTERM

 

Web site editor

  • creating and/or maintaining individual or sets of pages
  • cataloguing Web pages

 

Webmaster

  • managing files on the site
  • collecting, answering or routing feedback from users
  • running routines for monitoring and solving technical and performance-related issues
  • quality control: link checking, content freshness, site testing with the FAO Web Quality Assurance Checklist and custom criteria

FAO Web Quality Assurance Checklist

Corporate publisher (OCP)

  • checking consistency of the site with other corporate sites
  • clearance of new sites and systems based on Web Quality Assurance Checklist criteria
  • advice on metadata, usability, cataloguing and document management
  • traffic monitoring and analysis

 

See also in the guide