A Collaborative Community with Dynamic Resource Library

Summary of services provided:

• Browser-based content management
• Comprehensive site management services
• Creative ideas
• Custom issues-oriented discussion board
• Demonstration site development
• Password-protected membership community
• Site architecture
• User profiling

Project overview. Medical Management Planning, Inc. commissioned us to develop BENCH, a dynamic database of benchmarking resources. The purpose of the site was to provide up-to-date, well-organized and searchable benchmarking data to allow its community of users in 24 children's hospitals to continually improve their processes. Because Medical Management Planning, Inc. already had a website, our challenge was to adapt the existing site design to dramatically updated technology.

Browser-based site administration. Site administrators can maintain the membership community, view site activity, maintain the discussion board and update the site's news feature in real time through a standard web browser. In addition, we built a resource manager to allow administrators to upload, categorize, publish or delete documents in the resource database.

We worked closely with Medical Management Planning, Inc. to develop key site features, including:

• User authentication. We developed a password-protected user login linked to a user profiling system. We also designed and developed a method for the users to migrate from the previous, more primitive, login system to the new one without requiring administrative assistance.
• Resources. We designed and developed a searchable database of benchmarking documents, which users could download. Included in the package was the ability for administrators to upload and categorize new resources through their web browsers, as well as to unpublish or delete existing resources.
• Discussion Board. A custom issues-oriented discussion board, including categorical organization and keyword search, with browser-based administration.
• News. We designed this feature so that the administrator could instantly communicate project news to the project members, using only a web browser.
• Directory. A searchable directory of BENCH community members and facilities.
• User profiling. Members could update their own profiles or find out about other members.
• BENCH Demonstration Site. We also created a demonstration site so that our client could show off the BENCH capabilities to other institutions that might want to join a collaborative community.