Introduction About NOS Objectives and Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted

1. Introduction About NOS Objectives and Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending NOS's Technical Assistance Program: Supporting and Empowering Program Offices

2. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Learning Objectives • Program offices have some, but not all, of the skills to make full use of the Web or to seize opportunities. • A dedicated support system can empower program staff to initiate bold Web projects and consider new ways of executing established plans. • A support system brings considerable economies of scale to the institution. • A support system should include all aspects of Web development.

3. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending NOS: A Decentralized Institution • Web sites are the responsibilities of program offices. • Program offices: • have considerable latitude in Web development. • vary considerably in emphasis on Web communication. • vary considerably in staff focused on Web development. • NOS supports an integrated Web team. • Evolved informally – “knocking on the door.”

4. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Objectives and Principles of the Program • To provide a full support system to program offices. • To work directly with program offices in applying that system. • To build capacity in NOS program offices.

5. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Basic Elements • We provide the support throughout the project. • Offices: • choose what support skills and services they want. • have ownership, • provide all content and do the day-to-day work. • make all programmatic and policy decisions. • We offer counsel and opinions when appropriate. • We implement “one time” capabilities. (e.g., search engines, javascript navigation, databases)

6. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending The Focus Is People • Training (formal and informal) is a critical element • Participating offices must commit to priority and time • Continuing interaction is encouraged • Ideas from program staff are incubated • Vision on final product --> high motivator

7. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending The Support Menu • All aspects of site planning including outlines and storyboards • Editorial framework and policies • Professional graphics arts • Page layout and design, page templates • Advanced features (search engines, javascript, databases) • DoC and NOAA policies ‡ standard pages, footers, etc. • Photoshop and video production • Quality control • Prototype and public Web servers • Web statistics --------------------- • Training in many of these capabilities • Three fully equipped visitor workstations

8. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Flexible Support to Fit Different Needs • Offices choose what they need from the menu. • Highest demand: • planning • servers • Other high demand areas: • graphics arts, • advanced features • Done quietly: • DoC and NOAA policies, back pages • quality control

9. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Economies of Scale and Headache Reduction • Takes advantage of large technology economies of scale. • Not all offices have all skills or the time to follow policies. • Centralizes specialized skills. • Tough problems for learners can be easy for specialists. • We can jump start projects and keep them moving.

10. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Going Beyond • Program staff can consider larger initiatives. • Projects can be undertaken that would have been dismissed. • Advanced features can be incorporated. • New techniques can be implemented. • Unified approaches can be evaluated and deployed.

11. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending The Hidden Benefit: An Active Network • Creates a central PLACE (home) for a network • Program staff “drop by” for questions (and answers!) • A two way street --> they share new techniques with us • Always an interested ear; or two; or four; or more

12. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Offices Assisted in Last Four Years • Two to four projects every year: • Office of Coast Survey (Main site) • Office of Response and Restoration (Main site) • National Marine Sanctuaries (Main site, specialty site) • Nat. Estuarine Res. Reserves (Main site, specialty site) • National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (Main site) • Coral Reef Program (Main site, specialty site, Intranet site) • International Programs Office (specialty site) • Special Projects Office (specialty site) • Office of the AA (specialty site) • Currently: OCRM (specialty site)

13. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Case Study 1. Quick Customized Planning Office of Response and Restoration • Redesign of entire Web site • Moving to content management • Detailed planning process --> complete storyboard • Design of database for content management system • Ended with planning --> now being implemented

14. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Case Study 2. Rotational Assignment Program Office of Coast Survey • Six month assignment in our offices --> a place to go • Complete redesign of OCS Web site • Regular consultation with our staff • Web usage doubled in first year

15. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending Case Study 3. Specialty Work Coral Reef Program: CoRIS Glossary • NESDIS staff responsible for glossary. • Developed database driven glossary with imagery. • Used our workstations for data entry and final deployment • Glossary expands with hundreds of new terms each quarter

16. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending We Are Always Learning • We must incorporate TAP into our fiscal year program plan. • We will survey offices in September for intentions. • We will provide outsourcing options for certain capabilities.

17. Introduction About NOS Basic Elements The Menu Other Features Offices Assisted Case Studies Ending What We Hope You Have Learned • Decentralization does not have to mean “hands off” • Program offices will seek assistance, if it is unthreatening • There are economies of scale in many Web site functions • Economies of scale are greatest in specialty areas