Download Clackmannanshire Council - Computing Science and Mathematics

Clackmannanshire Council:
Expanding the Content Management System
Megan Hughes
September 2008
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of
Master of Science in Information Technology
Department of Computing Science and Mathematics
University of Stirling
Abstract
Clackmannanshire Council were looking at ways in which to modernise their in-house
habits. They wished to begin building the groundwork of an alternative information storage
and retrieval solution, which draws similarities from the existing functionality of their
external web site. Furthermore, they also wished to integrate an automation of what is
current common practise in terms of elected members and document availability.
The solution set out to tackle four tasks, which came to light during the requirements
elicitation process. The first task was to extend the content management system to enable
users to create internal web pages. Secondly, users of the content management system have
to be able to place electronic versions of documents for Councillors into the database.
Thirdly, Elected Members must be able to access these documents via a portal, which is
only to be accessed internally. Lastly, a further extension to the content management
system allows users to update Councillor-related details including passwords for the portal.
After having analysed the workings of the current system in terms of the external web
site functionality and how this is reflects in the database and subsequently the content
management system, a second content management system was analysed to see which one
would offer the best foundation on which to build the final solution. Coupled with this,
obtainable technologies were also analysed to see the effect this would have on the final
outcome of the solution.
The iterative spiral model in terms of a development process was employed, this helped
structure the report as subsequent report chapters mirror the different stages in the
development process that took place.
The final solution created the basis for the internal web page creation solution, but more
importantly the Councillor's portal and all associated functionality (document
storage/retrieval and an interface which updates Councillor details via the content
management system) was completed without problem. Moreover, further embellishments
such as a calendar and pagination were added to the portal as it was regarded as being
highly important, as these help the user feel more in control of the system and
subsequently of the information that they are viewing.