I’m currently evaluating a website for a large NHS organisation. I don’t feel I can divulge their name – so apologies if that negatively affects the post.

In the past TRIP has been evaluated using a number of different methods. The first major method was carried out by the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine which resulted in the following publication Using the Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) database: how do clinicians really search? More recently, when we were internally testing the new TRIP Database site the wonderful people at Minervation did some usability testing, which involved videoing a number of people trying to do tasks on TRIP.

I was contacted by the organisation as the senior managers were concerned that the site was no longer fit for purpose. While they felt the content was great, the findability was suspect.

It’s been a great experience, we’ve really got stuck into the web-stats, got lots of user feedback and we’re seeing a very consistent picture. The results might not be a surprise to the organisation (although there will be a few strong recommendations they’re not expecting) but it should give them the evidence they need to plan significant changes to the site.

The most important lesson from the whole process – for me – is that the internet is so important for communication, regular evaluation is essential to ensure your message/output is getting the exposure it deserves.