FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: LaVerne Kyriss, 720-962-7051,
kyriss@wapa.gov
REDESIGNED WESTERN WEB SITE ENHANCES USABILITY
Western unveiled the first
enhancements today, which include uniform architecture and easier navigation,
in addition to the more
visually appealing look. Streamlined content based on the needs of end-users—utilities,
government agencies, vendors, the media, jobseekers and students—puts
timely and accurate information within a few instinctive clicks.
A Westernwide,
multidisciplinary team incorporated Web activity reports, customer surveys and
user testing into the new design. “The research was indispensable in helping
put the focus on the user,” said Western Corporate Communications Manager LaVerne Kyriss.
“For example, monthly reports showed that Federal Register notices was one of
the most frequently visited pages. The new design places that link in the
permanent navigation.”
Frequent visitors to Federal Register
notices will have to make a new bookmark since that page was previously located
in the
Or rather, the Newsroom, as the
section is called on the new Web site. “Testing suggested that customers didn’t
connect the term ‘Media Center’ with news, features and publications,”
explained Kyriss. “Newsroom, on the other hand, was a
much more recognizable label.”
The “Interconnection” link to
transmission information was also renamed “Transmission”. Other changes
included updating and reorganizing the “About Western” general information section,
and overhauling the “Jobs” pages. Enhancements to the “Corporate Services
Office,” “Power Marketing” and “Doing Business” sections will be coming soon.
In addition to creating a more
user-friendly site, the redesign puts Western in compliance with the Recommended
Policies and Guidelines for Federal Public Web Sites issued by the U.S.
Office of Management and Budget. The policies are aimed at promoting a more
citizen-centered government. “That was Western’s goal when we started the
project in early 2004,” noted Kyriss. “So we were
well along that path when OMB issued its guidelines.”
Western urges all its customers to
visit the new and improved www.wapa.gov, update bookmarks and evaluate new
features. Feedback is critical to the process of adapting a Web site to users’
needs, and Western’s site will continue to evolve as a comprehensive online
resource for the power industry.
Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy.
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