Content Project Checklist

1. Content Project Checklist Version 1.016238 – October 17, 2012

2. Content Project Checklist Let’s face it. We all lose focus during challenging projects. A checklist helps you not forget the basics while you’re creating the stellar. This is a simple checklist, perfect for someone new to content strategy, like me. Modify it to make one right for you. That’s why I left blanks. I’ll be updating mine as I learn more, too. Are you already a content strategy fancy pants? I’ve given examples of checklists more appropriate for you. Do all the great things today! Gabby Hi! I’m Mr. Crumbles. Gabby let me provide a few tips.

3. Content Checklist (Plan & Create) Relevant Clear Free of distracting or unrelated content Directly applies to my audience’s tasks and needs ________________________ Presented as simply as possible Duplications are removed Spike can understand it while texting ________________________ Delightful In the Right Amount Satisfies in new or unexpected ways My audience will do cartwheels! ________________________ My audience has all necessary content for their goals Goldilocks Compliant: Not too little, not too much, just right. ________________________ True and Credible Accuracy verified Well edited, so my audience finds it credible ________________________ For each item on your list, have a clear idea what justifies checking it as done.

4. Content Checklist (Verify & Govern) Structured Validated Uses metadata where appropriate Has perfectly sized chunks, like a good ice cream Optimized for internal search and SEO ________________________ Appropriately usability tested Reviewed by subject matter experts Mr. Crumbles has performed sophisticated readability testing ________________________ Manageable Accessible & Adaptable Someone is clearly responsible for support after publishing Process for updates is in place and agreed upon ________________________ Complies with guidelines for users with disabilities Flexible for multiple devices and Responsive Web Design ________________________ Consider creating two checklists, for both simple and complex projects.

5. Checklists for Fancy Pants My checklist is right for me, a new content strategist. I will adapt it as I grow. If you’re more experienced or have an information architecture background, consider fashioning your checklist on these more advanced examples. Content Quality Checklists by Colleen Jones (@leenjones) and Content Science (@ContentScience) http://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2009/04/toward-content-quality.php http://content-science.com/expertise/content-quality-checklist Creating Valuable Content: An Essential Checklist by AhavaLeibtag (@ahaval) http://www.contentmarketinginstitute.com/2011/04/valuable-content-checklist/ A Checklist for Content Work by Erin Kissane (@kissane) http://www.alistapart.com/articles/a-checklist-for-content-work/ Information Architecture Heuristics by Abby Covert (@Abby_The_IA) http://abbytheia.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/ia_heuristics/ Also read AtulGawande’s The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right.

6. Thanks to my pals! Thanks to Mr. Crumbles and Spike! Keep in touch with Gabby: @ContentGabby Want a printable format of Gabby’s Checklist? I’ve created one on the next slide!

7. Gabby’s Content Project Checklist Accessible & Adaptable Relevant Clear Complies with guidelines for users with disabilities Flexible for multiple devices and Responsive Web Design ________________________ Free of distracting or unrelated content Directly applies to my audience’s tasks and needs ________________________ Presented as simply as possible Duplications are removed Spike can understand it while texting ________________________ In the Right Amount Delightful Validated Appropriately usability tested Reviewed by subject matter experts Mr. Crumbles has performed sophisticated readability testing ________________________ My audience has all necessary content for their goals Goldilocks Compliant: Not too little, not too much, just right. ________________________ Satisfies in new or unexpected ways My audience will do cartwheels! ________________________ True and Credible Structured Manageable Uses metadata where appropriate Has perfectly sized chunks, like a good ice cream Optimized for internal search and SEO ________________________ Someone is clearly responsible for support after publishing Process for updates is in place and agreed upon ________________________ Accuracy verified Well edited, so my audience finds it credible ________________________ Version 1.016238 / October 17, 2012 by Gabby (@ContentGabby)