What does supporting decisions with data mean?
Making decisions with data means using data-based evidence to guide improvements, rather than relying on assumptions.
Why is it important to support decisions with data?
Relying solely on assumptions can lead to ineffective choices and missed opportunities. Using data to evaluate your site’s performance allows you to make informed, strategic decisions about where and how to improve.
Benefits of supporting decisions with data
- Focuses resources on areas with the greatest impact.
- Reduces time spent on trial-and-error changes.
- Facilitates strategic alignment by providing a clear rationale for proposed changes.
- Fosters a culture of learning and responsiveness.
How to support decisions with data
Monitor analytics and address issues
- Analyze quantitative behavioural analytics data (Google and Facebook Analytics)
- Watch screen recordings and heat maps to understand how visitors navigate your site (Hotjar)
- Conduct tests to evaluate your decisions (Google Optimize)
- Perform qualitative research to better understand user experience (Optimal Workshop)
- Be mindful of ethical and privacy considerations concerning data collection for analytics and user research, see McGill's Policy on the Responsible Use of Information Technology at McGill, IT Services, article 7.5
Stay informed about research that impacts your content
McGill digital journey maps
- Prospective student journey map: Steps prospective students take as they investigate options, apply for admission, accept an offer and transition to being a student at McGill.
- Current student journey maps: Steps current students take from their arrival at McGill in their foundation year to graduation.
- Academic and career planning - Steps students take as they manage and track progress toward achieving academic and career goals.
- Becoming part of a community - Steps students take as they are introduced to and become part of the McGill community.
- Undergraduate student journey map / Service blueprint (video recording)
- Follow that map...to a better way of working
- Mapping the digital journey of our McGill students
McGill Student usability panel
Web Services projects
Access support and training
- Request consultation support tailored specifically for McGill websites and audiences, including:
- Project coordination
- User experience research & design
- Need help with your data collection and analysis? Contact google.analytics [at] mcgill.ca.
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Register for our WS 103 - UX at McGill training course, to learn tips and best practices for collecting user data, including:
- Introduction to UX principles tailored to McGill’s digital ecosystem.
- How to plan and conduct UX research for McGill websites.
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Register for our WS 105 - Web analytics training course, to learn about different web analytics tools available at McGill.
- Use analytics to design websites that fit your users needs.
- How analytics can help you achieve your goals.