Case Study | Cloud First Nordics Knowledge Hub

The Challenge

Creating a cohesive knowledge hub for Cloud First information faced several obstacles: WordPress limitations for complex, interlinked content structures, coordination with multiple project managers, constantly changing goals and requirements, and the complex information infrastructure behind each showcased item or event.

The Solution

A comprehensive approach combining thorough information architecture design in FigJam, content categorization through card sorting and scenarios, and a carefully planned WordPress implementation with YOOtheme. The solution prioritized navigation ease and content relationships while working within the technical constraints.

Design Process

Information Gathering

Collecting and consolidating information from various sources

Focused meetings

Integrating diverse information sources (industries, products, departments) into one canonical document

Information Architecture

Mapping content relationships and structure

FigJam mapping

Creating a full information architecture and logic overview of how articles, events, and industry pages interlink

Categorization & Validation

Organizing content into logical groups

Card sorting

Creating individual scenarios and applying card sorting techniques to categorize content into required groups

Wireframing

Creating structural layouts for the knowledge hub

Layout exploration

Exploring layout, hierarchy, and cross-linking patterns that support deep content relationships

Competitive Research

Finding inspiration from successful knowledge platforms

Pattern identification

Conducting competitive research to identify "delightful" patterns for navigation and discovery

WordPress Development

Implementing the design in YOOtheme

YOOtheme implementation

Building the portal using YOOtheme framework with custom integration solutions

Staged Release

Gradually launching the platform

Phased rollout

Executing a staged release strategy to publish core sections first, then iteratively expand content coverage and cross-linking

Technical Foundation & Challenges

The project utilized WordPress with YOOtheme builder supplemented by community plugins. We faced challenges with complex, interlinked content structures that WordPress isn't inherently designed for. Due to compatibility issues across multiple plugins and cross-linked schemas, we brought in a developer to resolve integration challenges.

01 WordPress CMS

02 YOOtheme builder

03 Community plugins

04 Custom integration solutions

Project Team

Team composition

UX/UI Designer, Multiple Project Managers, Design Lead, Developer

Work with this team

Information Architecture

FigJam mapping

Created full information architecture and logic overview of interlinked items

Card sorting

Created individual scenarios and applied card sorting to categorize content

Competitive research

Identified successful navigation patterns from similar knowledge platforms

Content relationships

Mapped how articles, events, and industry pages interrelate

Product Goals

Single source of truth

Create one authoritative location for all Cloud First-related information

Plausible navigation

Develop an easy-to-navigate interface across diverse content types

Knowledge sharing

Facilitate knowledge transfer to increase conversation and support sales

Content management

Enable efficient content organization, updates, and publishing

Collaboration Process

Working closely with multiple project managers and a Design Lead required focused meetings to align scope, priorities, and delivery timelines. The complex information infrastructure demanded cross-functional collaboration to ensure accurate representation of all departments' content.

Implementation Challenges

The implementation faced several technical hurdles that required creative solutions:

WordPress limitations

Standard WordPress isn't optimized for complex, interlinked content structures requiring custom solutions

Plugin compatibility

Compatibility challenges across multiple community plugins required expert intervention

Changing requirements

Evolving goals throughout the project required flexible architecture and adaptable design

Complex information structure

Each showcased item/event had complex information infrastructure requiring careful data modeling

Outcomes

1 Month

MVP website launched rapidly

Complete

All gathered information successfully displayed

Reliable

Minimal bugs and downtime post-launch

The Cloud First Nordics portal became a single source of truth for all cloud-related information within the organization. The platform successfully centralized knowledge sharing, improved access to information, and created a sustainable content management system.

Visual Showcase

Need a custom knowledge hub?

Let's discuss how I can help design and implement information-rich platforms that organize complex content in user-friendly ways.

Start a Project