There’s a Reason We Call Them Institutions: Working in Higher Ed Without Going Crazy WPCampus 2019 Portland, OR John Eckman @jeckman 

Disclaimers: I am NOT a medical professional or trained therapist It is not my intent to make fun of or stigmatize people working through real mental health issues. 

Five Dysfunctions of Higher Ed 1. Diffuse Authority 2. Audience Ambiguity 3. Content Sprawl 4. Team Turnover 5. Insufficient Training https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universidad_de_Mor%C3%B3n 

#1: Diffuse Authority https://www.hippostcard.com/listing/switzerland-map-cantons-crests-postcard/16790820 

https://www.slideshare.net/AwarenessLIVE/jeremiah-owyangs-career-path-of-a-corporate-social-strategist-for-awareness-inc/ 71-62_Five_Ways_Companies_Organize #1: Diffuse Authority 

#1: Diffuse Authority http://vittoriobeltracchi.com/everyone-is-a-data-scientist/matrix-code/ #1: Diffuse Authority 

#1: Diffuse Authority - Identify your spheres of control, influence, and concern - Try to identify stakeholders and roles - Build coalitions of the willing - formal and informal - Document & share real goals - Shape recommendations based in data - Do great work & promote it https://www.etsy.com/listing/269967357/serenity-prayer-non-religious-printable 

#2: Audience Ambiguity Photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash 

https://xkcd.com/773/ 

People go to the website because they can't wait for the next alumni magazine, right? What do you mean, you want a campus map? One of our students made one as a CS class project back in '01! You can click to zoom and everything! https://xkcd.com/773/ 

#2: Audience Ambiguity • Force priorities: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary, etc. •Prioritize audiences and activities • Eliminate the “front door” pattern • Document, brainstorm, strategize. • Provide clear pathways for alternate audiences https://news.delta.com/delta-introduces-enhanced-boarding-process-atlanta 

#3: Content Sprawl Photo by Terence Starkey on Unsplash 

Hoarding is NOT a Content Strategy 

#3: Content Sprawl • Set restrictions on spinning up new sites & supporting them • In site refreshes, redesigns, or migrations, prune. • Content strategy driven by documented goals and analytics. • Archive / decomission old sites & content http://blog.livedoor.jp/irootoko_jr/archives/2541632.html 

#4: Team Turnover https://medium.com/@SenatorBaldwin/we-can-t-afford-a-revolving-door-working-in-favor-of-wall- street-796192313f9c 

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iHSu7hzhE7E/maxresdefault.jpg 

#4: Team Turnover - Document best practices - Do lots of training: brown bag lunches, knowledge sharing, etc. - Form working groups - Share successes - Pair lifers with newbies - Credentialize / Professionalize - Don't be afraid to push for ownership by those who have the right skills 

#5: Insufficient Training Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash 

#5: Insufficient Training 

#5: Insufficient Training • Insist on professional training budgets • Leverage communities of practice (WP Campus!) • Keep your own skills up to date and encourage the same in your colleagues • Don't be afraid to push for more authority based on more training & expertise https://aquilacommercial.com/el-arroyo-gallery-post/el-arroyo-sign-3242014/ 

John Eckman • @jeckman • #wpcampus Q & A https://2019.wpcampus.org/feedback/the-five-dysfunctions-of-higher-ed-web-teams/