Redesigning a Web site is a daunting task, not only for the technical team but for the program and executive staff as well. However, in its research, CTG has found that by breaking tasks down into actionable components and focusing a project on “doable” subsets, the overall objective becomes obtainable.

Each of the five Testbed teams found that by narrowing the focus of their initial project to one publication or one static content page, they were afforded the time and energy needed to learn and explore the possibilities of XML. Once they achieved this incremental step, they start thinking more globally. The smaller project provided them with valuable information to help guide a larger project. They were able to consider the changes necessary to the workflow process in order to accomplish this task.

• How does this information become transferable or scaleable for the larger endeavor?
• What are the training and support issues learned in the smaller project?
• What are the organizational changes that need to be addressed before moving forward with the larger more complicated project?

This approach also afforded them the opportunity to gain knowledge that can and will be applied to other projects. XML becomes a new “club in the bag or tool in the toolbox,” as one team member stated.