University of Edinburgh - technical audit
CHALLENGE
The University of Edinburgh having recently transitioned their platform from Drupal 7 to modern Drupal, sought high level Drupal expertise with a technical audit to assess if the new platform was fit for purpose and to identify areas of opportunity for improvement.
SOLUTION
An in depth technical audit was carried out, evaluating the website on a range of areas including security, GDPR compliance, accessibility, performance, and editorial experience. In person workshops and analysis provided actionable recommendations to improve the platform and strategic alignment.
RESULT
An innovative approach was taken to the audit and consultancy process. While a formal documentation report was provided, GitLab was also used to create actionable tasks, enabling the team to immediately begin implementing recommendations. Realtime prototyping was introduced alongside this, allowing for the rapid testing and validation of ideas as they emerged.
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is a globally recognised public research university. Established in 1582, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, located in Scotland's capital. The university is renowned for its excellence across a range of fields, including medicine, science, engineering, and the humanities.
As a member of the Russell Group, it boasts a global reputation for innovation in education and research, with notable alumni such as Charles Darwin, Alexander Graham Bell, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. With over 45,000 students the university operates a complex digital ecosystem that demands a solid and sustainable web platform.
Supporting the University of Edinburgh’s digital evolution
The University of Edinburgh embarked on a journey of digital transformation, transitioning from Drupal 7 to a modern Drupal platform. 1xINTERNET played a key role in the discovery phase of the project, defining requirements and laying the foundation for the new system.
Although another agency developed the platform, our deep understanding of the university’s needs and challenges positioned us as a valuable partner in evaluating the platform and ensuring it was making the most of the latest innovations in Drupal.
With our extensive experience in the higher education sector - including projects developed for University of Iceland and Wismar International Graduation Services GmbH (Wings University), as well as a strong track record across industries, we bring both the technical depth and expertise to provide strategic guidance.
Being very much at the forefront of innovation happening in Drupal, we were brought in to ensure the platform met the high standards expected of an institution of excellence and that it was strategically roadmapped to maximise the latest innovations.
A technical audit was carried out focusing on:
- Code quality & architecture
- Security & GDPR compliance
- Accessibility
- Performance
- Editorial experience
- Ease of use
- Drupal configuration & best practices
- Legal and regulatory considerations
"The 1xINTERNET team exceeded expectations..."
"The 1xINTERNET team exceeded expectations, demonstrating both deep expertise and a readiness to address our most complex challenges. Their contribution has driven meaningful and lasting improvements to our ways of working - enhancements that will continue to add value well into the future."
Billy Wardrop, Web Team Manager, University of Edinburgh
Technical infrastructure audit: a strategic approach
When partnering with the University of Edinburgh for the technical audit, our approach was carefully designed to meet the specific objectives set out by the university. Participation by key stakeholders was essential, and a carefully structured approach enabled us to capture stakeholder insights without disrupting their ability to deliver their day to day business responsibilities.
To provide our team with the necessary context, the university team presented their project vision, business goals, and KPIs. This included a walkthrough of the solution, its roadmap, and its alignment with institutional priorities. This framing allowed us to tailor our audit effectively, ensuring that our recommendations aligned with the University of Edinburgh´s wider strategic goals.
Future proofing the platform
While our primary goal was to audit and endorse the work delivered, we placed equal emphasis on forward-thinking strategies. With a modern Drupal platform in place, the university is now well-positioned to capitalise on the numerous advantages of ongoing innovation within the Drupal ecosystem. Our recommendations focused on ensuring longevity and adaptability, equipping the university with the tools to evolve its digital presence.
Ensuring compatibility with Drupal innovation
During the delivery phase of the project, Drupal has seen some significant innovations. One of our key deliverables was to provide strategic guidance on how the university’s new architecture could be developed in alignment with these innovations. Our focus was on ensuring maximum compatibility with emerging innovations and developments in Drupal and the wider digital ecosystem.
Upfront auditing ahead of workshops
To maximise efficiency, prior to the in person workshops, we gained access to a replica of the final solution, including the codebase, and hosting infrastructure on Pantheon. This upfront auditing phase allowed our senior technical team of both frontend and backend specialists, to conduct a thorough review of the solution architecture, code, and infrastructure before any on-site workshops took place. This hybrid approach meant our consultants arrived in Edinburgh with a comprehensive knowledge of the solution.
Dynamic workshops for actionable change
Pre-audit findings ensured that the on-site workshops were dedicated to the most valuable topics. Our focus was not just on technical compliance but also on the effectiveness of the platform in meeting the specific goals as set out by the university. Engaging with stakeholders across disciplines, including content management, development teams, DevOps, and leadership, allowed us to fully assess the impact of the platform and identify opportunities to optimise the implementation.
Workshops were designed to drive real, tangible progress in a short period. The sessions were dynamic and designed to enable rapid decision-making. Findings were documented and turned into actionable tasks by creating issues directly in the university project management system. This approach allowed issues to be prioritised, organised, and addressed efficiently, immediately after the workshop sessions. Internal teams were empowered with the knowledge and tools needed to move forward independently, enabling them to improve their systems without external assistance. This rigorous evaluation ensured that the platform is not only fit for purpose today but also primed for future growth.
Drupal experts
Our team is well positioned to provide in-depth guidance in Drupal innovation. We lead development of some of the latest cutting-edge DrupalCMS features, contribute to core advancements, and maintain many widely used Drupal modules.
Drupal innovation
One of the most important elements of the audit was ensuring the website architecture was suitable to leverage the latest Drupal innovations.
Upfront auditing
For maximum efficiency an upfront audit was carried out prior to the on site workshops, reviewing the codebase and infrastructure meant our team arrived with a deep understanding of the solution.
In person workshop
Hands-on, in-person workshops created an environment for focused collaboration, ensuring that internal teams could make significant strides in a short space of time. We helped identify opportunities and determine the clear path to implementing solutions efficiently.
Actionable issues
Rather than simply documenting findings, we translated insights into immediately actionable tasks using Git. This method allowed teams to prioritise, organise, and initiate work straight away, ensuring that identified opportunities quickly turn into meaningful progress.
Self sustaining teams
We focused on equipping the internal teams with the skills and knowledge they needed to maintain and improve their systems without ongoing external support. By the end of our workshops, teams are empowered to continue optimising and evolving their processes independently.
Flexibility, security and compliance
The University of Edinburgh uses Drupal as the foundation for its platform because it meets the complex needs of a large, diverse institution. Drupal offers the flexibility required to manage over 80,000 pages across 150+ websites, supporting both public and internal audiences with consistent branding, accessibility, and compliance tools.
Drupal's modular architecture allows the University to manage large amounts of content, and maintain a centralised codebase that accelerates the deployment of new sites in hours. With a focus on GDPR compliance, accessibility, and responsive design, Drupal empowers the University to deliver a robust, future-proof digital experience that supports its strategic goals and evolving user needs.
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