In January 2006, PHMSA began a major initiative to redesign its public face - its websites. By leveraging advanced technology, industry standard system development methodologies, and best practices, PHMSA is making great progress in achieving its goal of developing a consolidated website which improves and increases services to all stakeholders, including the public. The redesign effort is based upon, and continues to rely heavily on, internal and external stakeholder input.
A powerful Content Management System (CMS) suite of software was chosen as the architectural backbone of the site. This suite (Vignette Enterprise Content Management and Portal) is a proven, scalable, and reliable technology which uses open, industry standards to ensure seamless integration of other solutions and components. It provides a flexible foundation for resolving many of the current performance gaps in the existing PHMSA websites.
Keeping its site up-to-date is essential to PHMSA's Safety Mission. The most important component of any website is content maintenance. The redesigned public website will be integral to PHMSA's goal to become a transparent, risk-based, data driven organization by supporting data quality and data integrity issue resolution; advancing the organization's capability to collect, analyze, and apply information as the driver for safety decisions; improve the safety performance of operators through education, inspection, and enforcement; and leverage technology and innovation to help address safety problems with 21st Century solutions.
The new public website is being developed and released in stages. The processes behind the website redesign effort allows PHMSA staff and stakeholders to observe progress and make appropriate observations, suggestions, and contributions as the site is built. These same processes also have allowed PHMSA staff and stakeholders the ability to evaluate such things as look-and-feel, proposed content placement, and layout of the navigation of the site.
This first release, or "Phase 1," of the project establishes the site foundation, including its base architecture, navigation, and design. The Phase 1 release also presents the "Storefront" and serves to present the new PHMSA Home Page and establishes a unified PHMSA branding and agency identity. It consolidates the former main PHMSA and Chief Counsel websites, as well as supporting the Contracts and Procurement, Human Resources, and Civil Rights areas. It also includes the new Hazmat and Pipeline Safety "Audience" or site home pages, and the Training and Outreach pages for each program. For the time being, the underlying program (Pipeline and Hazmat) sub-pages will remain in place, linked to the new site.
Phase II (full integration of the Hazmat and Pipeline Safety sites) of the project has already begun. The existing content of the Hazmat and Pipeline Safety sites will be migrated to the new site, and as that content is migrated, updated versions of the new site will be released as appropriate. This process will be completed in two or three major publication events. The associated pages on the old PHMSA site will be systematically retired until the content of the old site is completely absorbed into the new site by September 2008. Their various subsidiary sites (Stakeholder Communications, Hazmat Electronic Services, Gas IMP, ODES, NPMS, etc.) will remain as functions and services available from within the main PHMSA site.
Be sure to check back for updates on site progress and a summary of new and upcoming developments!