Project Overview
Who
Founded in 1915, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a globally recognized leader in teaching, learning, and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities worldwide. With over 70,000 students across its campuses and 375,000 alumni worldwide, UBC is a cornerstone of Canadian higher education.
UBC CPD is an academic unit within the UBC’s Faculty of Medicine. Dedicated to advancing lifelong learning in healthcare, UBC CPD designs, delivers, accredits, evaluates, and researches continuing professional development opportunities for health professionals across British Columbia and beyond.
What
- Drupal maintenance & support
- Security updates
- Bug fixes
- Accessibility support
- Performance improvements
- User Experience (UX) improvements
- Digital tool creation
Results at a Glance
Working closely with the UBC CPD team, Cheeky Monkey Media enhanced both the front and back-end functionality of their Drupal website. Our team was able to offer the flexible, proactive website support they needed.
Successful Drupal 10 Update
Improved Reliability With Proactive Maintenance And Security Updates
Improved UX, accessibility, and content management
32+ Drupal core and module updates completed
The Challenge
Too Many Moving Parts for Reactive Support
UBC CPD’s website has to support a broad range of programs, resources, and initiatives. This made reactive fixes insufficient for the level of maintenance, planning, and technical oversight the site required.
Inconsistent Support From Previous Partners
After working with previous agencies, UBC CPD needed a more reliable web partner who could provide clearer communication, better visibility into project progress, and support within their time zone.
Rigid Monthly Support Models Didn’t Fit Their Needs
UBC CPD needed a more flexible way to access web support as priorities changed, without being locked into fixed monthly hours, narrow service limits, or a support structure that didn’t match how their team actually worked.
Growing Accessibility, Performance + UX Needs
As UBC CPD’s digital presence continued to grow, the website needed ongoing improvements to make it easier to navigate, more accessible, better performing, and more reliable for health professionals using the site.
HOW WE WORKED
Our Process
Audit & Prioritization
We identified and prioritized key improvements across the front-end and back-end of the Drupal website, including module needs, code improvements, UX issues, and upgrade considerations.
Execution of Priorities
Get key improvements for the websites live, including fixing UI/UX issues, refining design elements, and etc.
Research & Testing
We investigated module upgrade paths, researched solutions for non-compatible upgrades, reviewed custom integrations, and completed extensive testing at each phase of the Drupal 10 upgrade process.
Ongoing Strategy
We implemented a structured monthly maintenance cycle to support proactive upkeep, ongoing security, website stability, and continuous improvements.
Audit & Prioritization
We identified and prioritized key improvements across the front-end and back-end of the Drupal website, including module needs, code improvements, UX issues, and upgrade considerations.
Execution of Priorities
Get key improvements for the websites live, including fixing UI/UX issues, refining design elements, and etc.
Research & Testing
We investigated module upgrade paths, researched solutions for non-compatible upgrades, reviewed custom integrations, and completed extensive testing at each phase of the Drupal 10 upgrade process.
Ongoing Strategy
We implemented a structured monthly maintenance cycle to support proactive upkeep, ongoing security, website stability, and continuous improvements.
WHAT WE DID
Ongoing Website Maintenance & Support for a Complex Drupal Website
We’re technical enough for the complicated stuff and human enough to explain it clearly.
Proactive Drupal Updates + Security Support
We completed Drupal core and module security updates to help keep the website secure, stable, and functional. We also conducted module and code audits, reviewed technical risks, and implemented improvements to support long-term CMS health.
User Experience, Accessibility + Performance Focus
We enhanced website functionality, including navigation, interactions, user flows, styling updates, accessibility-focused improvements, and performance-related refinements. We made sure all of our work created a more reliable and user-friendly experience for UBC CPD’s audience, health professionals.
Drupal 10 Upgrade Planning + Execution
We supported the strategic planning and execution of UBC CPD’s Drupal 9 to Drupal 10 upgrade, with special attention to custom integrations, module compatibility, research, testing, and upgrade paths for non-compatible modules.
Digital Tool + Content Experience Creation
We delivered new website projects that expanded UBC CPD’s digital offerings, including:
- Flexible blogs and podcasts area for easier content management
- Interactive coach and mentor tool to help users find and connect with coaches and mentors.
Project Outcomes
Through this collaboration, we were able to significantly enhance UBC CPD’s digital presence with a more modern, reliable, and user-friendly Drupal website.
Cheeky Monkey Media helped UBC CPD move from reactive website support toward a structured website maintenance and support plan, supporting transparent communication, continuous improvements, in-depth accessibility needs, and long-term website performance.
Quantitative Results
- Drupal 10 upgrade completed
- 3 major website initiatives delivered
- 32+ Drupal core and module updates completed
- Custom Coach & Mentor directory launched
Quantitative Results
- More reliable website support
- Clearer communication and project transparency
- More flexible support structure
- Improved UX, accessibility, and content management
