Report Identifies That Multilateral, Inter-Governmental Organisations Need to Significantly Improve Their Digital Presence

LONDON, February 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Today Panlogic Ltd releases the findings from their 2014 report on multilateral organisations' web presence.

Panlogic's research health check into the effectiveness of 15 International Governmental Organisations' (IGO) digital services not only identifies practical suggestions as to the areas that these large and far-reaching organisations should concentrate on to improve their digital communication, but also ranks their current effectiveness.

Key highlights from the report identify that multilaterals need to:

• Focus primarily on content with greater emphasis on quality rather than quantity.
• Attach significant attention and import to design, usability and functionality
• Create and develop variety in content types (rich media, social media, open data, streamline content per audience type) to increase engagement
• Modernise design to be contemporary and reflect organisations that are interested in engaging with constituencies, communities and younger users
• Implement consistent and site-wide designs (not a few top-level pages) to ease the usability experience
• Develop responsive design (where services retain their integrity when viewed on tablets/mobile devices) given the range of audiences seeking access these devices. Only 1 of the 15 sites offered a suitable mobile solution.
• Dramatically improve accessibility. We identified accessibility barriers in 14 of 15 sites (to W3C standard) - greater accessibility creates a wider audience, modern outlook and demonstrates interest in and compliance with diversity and inclusion.

The research ranked each of the fifteen sites on four key metrics (Content, Design, Usability and Functionality). Each top-level metric encompassed a number of sub-categories (mobile, language, open data, navigation, customisation etc.). These were brought together under a single ranking score. The OECD and UN Children's Fund scored highest with an average score of 5.25 out of an available score of 10. The International Courts of Justice have the most work to do.

Commenting on the findings, Panlogic CEO William Makower said "For the first time this report considers the digital presence of fifteen key inter-governmental multilateral organisations. Whilst the report shows there is significant opportunity to improve there are pockets of examples of best practice being followed. A key barrier to change can be internal politics and bureaucracy but IGOs need to grab the opportunity and improve how they communicate with their audiences. Much can be learnt from exemplars across national government websites and corporates."

John Foster-Hill, author of the report commented "This initial report identifies the need for multilaterals to meet the needs of their wide and varied audiences to access and digest their output. We intend to publish ongoing annual reports and in 2015 we look forward to commenting on the improvements made across these types of organisations. In publishing our findings our aim is that we not only provide a spark of inspiration, but also the impetus to reflect and act towards a transformation in digital communication."

Notes to editors

The findings and report were gathered during Q4 2013 and reflect our internal views. A summary of the report can be found here with the full report at: http://www.panlogic.co.uk/downloads/2014-multilateral-orgs-research.pdf

About Panlogic

Panlogic offers global digital value improvement through its practice of Digital Engineering - the process of independently guiding and leading on strategic digital business change.

Panlogic's clients include the International Energy Agency, G20, International Energy Agency and UK government and public sector clients.

More information from:

William Makower
CEO, Panlogic Ltd
Email: Press(at)panlogic.co.uk
+44-208-948-5511