Findability Project Update: Aug-Sept 2020

This monthly status report is to share progress each month for the the Findability Project and to outline plans for the coming month.

Overview

This section will be highlights from the last month. High level budget info. Can include a video snapshot of features for example.

The focus for the DevOps team over the past two months has been on the launch of the online open course collection pilot site with the soft launch occurring in September. Work on the open textbook site has continued in tandem with this work.

The team continues to maintain the production site while developing the new site. Roughly half of time is spent on operational work and half on new development.

More information about previous activity and timelines for the project can be found on the Findability Project Charter Wiki page. As the project is using an AGILE software development approach , project timelines and deliverables fluctuate based on identified needs and testing results.

The project continues to be within budget. Reallocation of some funds that were planned for travel and meetings is underway.

Activity Last Month

Goals that were met, decisions made, sprint outcomes, milestones met, etc.

The development team hosted an information session on Sept 8th sharing the work that has been completed and what is to come for the OOC and Findability projects. Participants will receive honouraria for their participation.

The following goals have been met by the Findability team:

  • Participants have been selected for testing of both the open course site and the open textbook site
  • Pilot site soft launch was in mid-Sept

This month the following work was completed by the Findability team:

  • Page content for the open site added (About and help)​
  • Functionality for adding courses and OERs​
  • Continued front-end development, including search​
  • Google drive template developed
  • Metadata display
  • Prototype of new search box developed

Planned Activity

Goals for next month – what we’re looking forward to/excited about. Includes development, meetings, communication, etc.

The following activities are planned for October:

  • Testing for the OER sites will take place from Oct 26-Nov 13
  • Staging for testing site with data
  • Purchase of testing and editing software
  • Prioritizing backlog of metadata recommendations
  • Putting new search box on site

Risks and Issues

Table of risks/issues, mitigation

Risk/IssueLevelMitigation
Open online courses project introduces new requirements that will take time to consider, design for, and test.MediumMonitor resource allocation and increase capacity if required.
Technology chosen will not support undiscovered user activities or new requirements.MediumTesting and stakeholder engagement at all decision points
Timelines for open online course project are very tightHighNew team member (Declan) joined to assist with the project. Will continue to monitor progress.

Lessons Learned

List of things that went well and what improvements could be made.

People are helpful! There have been many contributions from various people both in the organization and external to the process.

Links and Resources

Include links to useful/related info such as slides from an update meeting, related projects or other resources of interest.

Online open course pilot site