Background/methodology

The Culture Observatory Gateway (COG) will be used to share information across sport, the arts, tourism, museums, libraries and archives, heritage and creative industries across the northwest.

KKP's assessment of the COG website's content, structure and format is based on more than 60 in-depth interviews and two questionnaire surveys. This approach enabled KKP to gauge the views of leading national and regional figures across each of the six topic areas, specialists in information management and website development.

Purpose of the Gateway

Acting as a data warehouse and signposting facility, the Gateway will support evidence based decisions, promote innovation, share best practice and offer advice on up-coming issues.

Through the rapid access to data that, for example, links regeneration and the arts; economic impact and sport; and connects strategic issues to operational solutions it will provide ‘an edge for the region' by supporting its main 100-200 cultural organisations.

Key findings

KKP identified and tested a wide range of issues, including the Gateway's core market, priority content, preferred format, functionality requirements and potential site management options.

Marketing and communications issues were explored alongside agency willingness to share data.

The findings also stressed the importance of impartiality, integrity and independence.

A detailed project implementation plan was produced, covering areas such as:

• People - experience and skills.
• Technology - meta-data, XML feeds.
• Users - logs and surveys.
• Finance - for implementation.
• Accountability - performance indicators.
• Marketing and communications.
• Project initiation - key first steps.

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Testing the proposals

KKP tested reaction to the findings and a mock-up for the site, with leading figures at a regional workshop. The response was a resounding endorsement of the work to-date, proposals for the site and the conceptual model. It is now in the technical implementation phase of development.