Solution Development
Online Open House System
In 2024 ODOT’s contract with a third-party platform ended and we needed to pivot quickly to an alternative solution to ensure that the Oregon public can get information and give feedback to our project planners.
I collaborated with others in my team to put together a process and a system within our existing Oregon.gov/ODOT environment. The final process utilized multiple tools we already had access to which meant we had no additional costs. I automated many parts of the process to reduce personnel cost and ensure consistency. Since its launch in fall of 2024, community affairs coordinators have requested and built 40 sites to engage our customers around the state.
Tools I used to build this solution:
SharePoint 2016
Used to drive the platform with a series of subsites.
Created several page templates and site examples.
Created several custom CSS styles to fasciliate a standardized look and feel.
Created guidance for how to use the custom CSS styles.
SharePoint Online
Created a request page with embedded form for internal staff to utilize.
Cognito Forms
Created two interconnected forms.
Request Form.
Feedback Form. The project is automatically selected for the user based on unique URLs, data pulled from the request form, and open/close dates for the Online Open House.
Scribe
Created a process walkthrough with a full visual walkthrough for each subprocess.
Digital Accessibility Toolbox
While at ODOT I led a large initiative to improve our division’s digital content accessibility. Our outreach revealed that many of our content creators lacked the basic skillset needed to remediate accessibility errors in their M365 Office documents and PDFs.
To address this need we took a two prong approach. First, I worked with our division training coordinator to get on-demand training and materials available for our colleagues. Secondly, I created a SharePoint Online site to serve as a one-stop-shop for all things accessibility.
On this site we included links to the trainings, links to related resources and guides, and links to the federal and state laws surrounding document accessibility. I also developed several job-aid pages to address some of the most common issues that people struggle with. Finally we created a feedback form for people to be able to easily ask questions or make suggestions.
Tools I used to create this solution:
SharePoint Online
Used to create the collection of pages that form the user-facing solution.
Cognito Forms
Used to create the feedback form which is embedded on the main page.
Workday Learning
Used to house the on-demand trainings and resources.