Siteimprove is currently in the implementation phase and will be broadly available to U-M users in November - December 2025.
Siteimprove is currently in the implementation phase and will become the primary product for the Accessibility Scanning Service.
U-M is currently implementing an updated, hybrid Siteimprove environment to support digital accessibility across hundreds of campus websites.
High-level Summary:
- Completion Target Date: December 10, 2025
- Implementation Approach: Hybrid approach that includes shared instances for most units, and standalone instances for qualified large/complex environments.
- Audience: Website owners, editors, Unit Leads, and site administrators across U-M.
- What You’ll Find Here: Key actions, timelines, training information, and support.
Hybrid Implementation Approach
U-M has adopted a hybrid model based on consultation with technical leads, U-M units, and peer institutions. This approach includes:
- Standalone instances for a small number of units with large-scale, complex environments.
- One shared instance managed by ITS for all other academic and administrative units, offering consistent configuration, governance, and reporting across campus.
This approach ensures flexibility for units that require it, while providing a unified and streamlined experience for the majority of campus users. ITS maintains administrative access across all instances to ensure campus-wide alignment.
Current Timeline
| Milestone | Target Date |
| Rollout of new standalone instances | November 14, 2025 |
| Publish Siteimprove Framework & Governance Plan | November 14, 2025 |
| CMS plugin installation/config documentation | November 18, 2025 |
| Assign top-level tags to all sites in shared instance | November 19, 2025 |
| Deliver tag taxonomy & dictionary |
November 19, 2025 |
| Complete user list collection | November 21, 2025 |
| Update Siteimprove-related MCommunity groups | November 21, 2025 |
| Create new custom roles & assign admins | November 21, 2025 |
|
Unit Lead & User training sessions |
November 24, 2025 |
| Rollout and Testing | Ongoing |
| Implementation Complete | December 10, 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I know whether my unit is in the shared instance or a standalone instance?
Answer: Most units are in the shared instance. Only a small number of units qualify for standalone environments based on their scale and complexity, or because they already had a standalone instance. Units currently operating standalone instances include LSA, CoE, Michigan Medicine, Dearborn, Law, and Nursing.
Question: What if our Siteimprove scores drop?
Answer: This is normal when new scans run. The focus is improvement over time, not one-time scores.