Digital awakening: HU Berlin launches into the future with TYPO3

First technical insights into Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin's biggest web relaunch in two decades

For more than twenty years, the central website of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has been based on the same content management system. Over the years, this system has reliably ensured a uniform appearance and facilitated editorial work. However, the demands placed on modern websites have changed considerably: User-friendliness, design options, performance and security are now at the forefront. Against this background, the HU has decided to comprehensively modernize its website.

As the responsible TYPO3 agency, we support the relaunch right up to the go-live. This includes support in defining the minimum viable product (MVP), creating user stories and providing technical advice on the design of key functions.

An essential part of this project is the analysis and connection of external systems such as the research database, the index of persons or the study information system (HisInOne).

Essential aspects of our work are

• Project coordination, technical consulting and requirements management
• TYPO3 integration of the layout
• TYPO3 extension development to realize specific customer requirements
• Implementation of standard functionalities such as message system, forms, customer-specific content elements, full-text search
• Connection of external systems and interface development

In addition to the technical implementation in TYPO3, both in the front end and in the back end, we also ensure that all editors involved are trained for your area of responsibility and quickly put in a position to find their way around your TYPO3 area.

A central concern of the Humboldt University was to actively involve its own technical team from the Computer and Media Service in the development process. The aim was to build up know-how in dealing with TYPO3 right from the start. The team is actively involved in the Scrum process and thus directly experiences the development, working methods and decisions of the site, including all the details. Our accompanying training courses also provide HU with in-depth knowledge that enables it to independently and sustainably manage and further develop the website in the future.

Our project team combines clear roles and certified skills. This includes Product Owners and Scrum Masters with official certification as well as specialists with the qualifications Certified Scrum Developer, Certified TYPO3 Integrator and Certified TYPO3 Developer. This distribution of roles creates a stable basis for an agile way of working and ensures that we can implement the project both methodically and technically in a professional manner.

Implementation is based on the Scrum method. The first sprint started in mid-April and a total of seven sprints will be carried out by mid-September. We provided a functional TYPO3 system after the first sprint and then carried out the first training for the editors. This allowed us to start filling the system with content at an early stage. At the end of the last sprint, the project was delivered in full and made available for productive use.

The current status represents an important interim stage. We will report again here in the blog as soon as the website is completed and goes live.