VANKPA
The decision
Start with a list of live URLs, page owners, audiences, and the action each page supports. Mark content to keep, combine, revise, or retire. A content inventory prevents useful material from disappearing and exposes pages nobody can confidently maintain.
In practice
A regional accounting firm may have several nearly identical service descriptions spread across departments. Keep the authoritative explanation, preserve useful supporting material, and identify where clients need a different answer. Consolidation should follow purpose rather than a target page count.
- Export URLs, record page traffic where available, and ask staff which pages they share with clients.
- Give every retained page a content owner and every retired URL a reviewed destination.
- Keep a separate list of missing content so discovery becomes a deliverable rather than a surprise.
When to take the next step
Start the inventory when a redesign, merger, or service change might alter the site's structure. Bring the current URLs and examples of pages staff use in real conversations.
Questions clients ask
When should we start the inventory?
Before navigation and design are approved. The inventory changes both decisions.
Who should decide what gets removed?
The content owner and project lead should review the page's purpose, evidence, and replacement together.