The technology platform chosen for this project was Microsoft SharePoint 2007.

Our project methodology followed a staged approach to help us create, visualize and evaluate the proposed user experience.

After careful consultation with all stakeholders, we began our user-centred process with "requirement visualization" techniques that included user interface concepts, storyboards and task flows. A low fidelity paper usability test was undertaken to evaluate the proposed new portal's self-evidency, functional salience and navigational strategy.

Onsite visit protocol included a staff profile questionnaire for the firm's key stakeholders - the intranet users - plus a task flow analysis and environmental observation with digital capture. Based on these insights, the next phase in our staged approach was to prepare the high-level web portal architecture - the foundation for standards and the detailed design that followed.

All critical steps along the way were undertaken in consultation with the Osler team and Microsoft® Services Canada, to establish consensus as to the portal's strategy, functional objects and design direction.