USDA Rural Utilities
Introduction
USDA Rural Utilities provides basic resources, like power and internet, to rural communities. However, some of the land in need of development may be on culturally sensitive ground. Federal archaeologists had issues relaying the importance of preservation guidelines to grant applicants and contractors. The department needed a better way to inform and resolve common queries on their webpage, which would reduce application errors, misuse of funds and community disputes.
Approach
Arch Analytics analyzed the wealth of their digital resources for three different audiences: the federal archaeologists, land developers / grant recipients, and the indigenous communities affected by these projects. We used charts to reorganize information so that each user could identify their problem AND solution using the forms and resources accessible on their website. Therefore, USDA Rural Utilities would be able to rebuild their webpage structure as user-first, query-second, resource-third.
The Final Word
"Archaeological Analytics staff have shown the highest level of professionalism and patience, reworking our current digital media and providing expert advice and guidance on rebuilding our website and other social media venues to make them easier to use, easier to find, and to clarify the importance of federal laws in the consideration and protection of historic and archaeological resources for our customers and the rural communities that they serve."
