Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission needed a new website that could help it organize a wealth of complex data – including committee details, contacts, calendars, and technical reports.

The Commission turned to Northwoods for a sophisticated solution that is simple to manage, on brand, and provides a seamless and intuitive user experience.

The Situation

• The former website was cluttered, text-heavy, and difficult to navigate, making it challenging for users to find key information quickly.
• Replatforming required migrating and restructuring years of legacy data – previously managed through overly complicated custom workflows, databases, and web applications.
• Content included extensive written material but very few images – requiring a thoughtful design approach to keep the new layout visually engaging, despite limited visual assets.
• A strategic overhaul was needed to streamline processes, modernize infrastructure, and reduce historical complexity, enabling the Commission to focus more effectively on its mission to serve as a steady source of clarity and expertise for a thriving region.

The Solution

• The Northwoods UX team redesigned the website to engage users and present dense information in a way that is structured, on brand, and visually appealing. 
• We built the site on Titan CMS, an enterprise content management system powered by Northwoods, which allows the Commission to assign content editing permissions at the individual level and maintain centralized oversight.
• We simplified workflows, removed outdated/fragmented systems, and centralized data using Titan CMS Data Sites. 
• From initial prototypes through development, Northwoods prioritized WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility compliance, implementing best practices such as high color contrast, descriptive headings, and full keyboard navigation.