Project: American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
Role: Lead Architect & Developer Focus: Association Management System (AMS), Complex Data Architecture, Event Logistics, Member Gating
Project Overview The American Rock Mechanics Association, a global scientific society, required a massive digital ecosystem to serve its international membership of engineers and geoscientists. Unlike a standard brochure site, this project involved the strategic planning and development of a comprehensive association platform. The goal was to consolidate hundreds of pages of technical resources, manage complex membership tiers, and streamline the logistics for large-scale international symposia—all within a unified, user-friendly interface.
Key Deliverables & Features
- Extensive Research & Information Architecture (IA): Given the sheer volume of content—from technical letters to decades of symposium archives—the project began with a rigorous planning phase.
- Content Audit & Strategy: We mapped out hundreds of existing pages to create a scalable hierarchy that allows users to easily locate specific technical committees, student chapters, and publications without getting lost.
- User Journey Mapping: Distinct pathways were designed for different user types (e.g., “Corporate Partners” vs. “Student Members”), ensuring each group sees relevant content immediately.
- Advanced Membership Management System: A robust backend was built to automate the full lifecycle of a member.
- Tiered Access Logic: The system automatically grants or restricts access to specific content (like the “ARMA Letters” or member directories) based on the user’s status (Gold Corporate, Individual, or Student).
- Automated Renewals: Complex business logic handles expiration dates, grace periods, and automated renewal reminders, significantly reducing the administrative burden on ARMA staff.
- Complex Event Registration Engine: To support major annual events like the US Rock Mechanics Symposium, a sophisticated registration system was developed.
- Dynamic Pricing Models: The checkout flow automatically adjusts pricing based on user roles (Member vs. Non-Member) and allows for “a la carte” selection of add-ons like workshops, technical tours, and banquets.
- Abstract & Author Integration: The site serves as the central hub for the “Call for Papers,” linking author guidelines and submission portals directly into the event workflow.
- Scalable “Member-Only” Resources: The site functions as a digital library, integrating with external databases (like OnePetro) while hosting exclusive internal resources.
- Secure Portals: A secure login environment protects sensitive association data while providing a seamless experience for users updating their professional profiles.
The Outcome The new ARMA platform has transformed how the association operates, turning a static website into a fully functional management tool. It successfully handles the traffic and data processing needs of a global membership base, simplifying the complex logistics of running an international scientific society.
