Project Name:
Acquia Cloud Site Factory Drupal Theme
Organization Name and Division:
Tufts University, Digital Services Group and Technology Services Division
Year and Quarter: Q3 2024
NAICS Codes:
- 541511: Custom Computer Programming Services
- 541430: Graphic Design Services
- 541613: Marketing Consulting Services
Overview
Creation of a universal ACSF (Acquia Cloud Site Factory) Drupal theme and Paragraph components (flexible editorial content block) to support Tufts University institutional websites with enhanced accessibility and easy to use modular design. The project focused on delivering a cost-effective, maintainable, and scalable Drupal theme with 37 custom page components and assistive admin interface to unify the digital presence of the university while adhering to brand standards and meeting accessibility requirements.
Our Challenge
Launch Theory partnered with Tufts University to transform and standardize their digital ecosystem, addressing the challenge of managing hundreds of decentralized institutional websites.
Prior to this initiative, Tufts’ decentralized website management posed significant challenges. Individual entities within the university—including schools, clubs, alumni relations, and security departments—were responsible for maintaining their own web presence,creating unsustainable maintenance burdens and inconsistent brand representation across the university’s digital footprint. While Tufts had begun adopting Acquia Site Factory (ACSF) in 2020, a more comprehensive solution was needed.
In 2024, Launch Theory embarked on an intensive collaboration with Tufts’ Marketing Department, Digital Service Group, and Technical Services to develop a standardized, ACSF-compatible Drupal theme.
What We Accomplished
Component Development: Launch Theory created a sophisticated Drupal paragraphs system that dramatically simplified content management across the university’s digital presence. The team developed 37 custom page components, each designed with intuitive administrative interfaces that simplified content creation while ensuring brand consistency. Every component underwent rigorous accessibility and administrative testing and included comprehensive documentation for future maintenance. This system empowered content creators across the university to build sophisticated pages without requiring technical expertise.
Technical Implementation: The team developed a flexible theme architecture that could accommodate the diverse needs of Tufts’ various institutions while maintaining a consistent user experience. This involved creating a modular design system that supported continuous refinement of components based on user feedback. The architecture allowed for individual Paragraph customization while enforcing brand standards, ensuring that each department’s website maintained cohesiveness with the University while supporting the many kinds of content utilized across the digital ecosystem.
Project Management Innovation: To support Tufts’ first large-scale theme project, Launch Theory implemented new processes that structured how the partner teams managed project coordination. Our team established a comprehensive ticketing system and efficient review processes that accommodated the university’s complex approval requirements. An agile development workflow allowed for continuous refinement of components while managing evolving design requirements from multiple stakeholders.
“This was a technically demanding project that required exceptional flexibility from Launch Theory,” notes Greg Stout, Launch Theory’s founder. “With designs evolving throughout development and many visual elements still being refined in the final weeks, we implemented an iterative workflow that could not only accommodate but encourage continuous changes. We also introduced project management tools and processes to help Tufts’ team navigate a project of this scale, including a comprehensive ticketing change management system and review process.”
Greg Stout, Founder and CEO Launch Theory
Project Timeline: 15 Months
Phase 1
Discovery, Development and Theming
Phase 2
Quality Assurance and Testing
Phase 3
Support and Final Adjustments

Services Used
- Technical Leadership and Strategic Consulting
- Drupal CMS
- Drupal Development
- Website & CMS Redesign
- Acquia Site Factory Development
- Modular Component Design & Theming
- Custom Theme Development
- SEO Testing
- Accessibility Compliance (508, WCAG)
- Quality Assurance & Regression Testing
- Team Extension
- Project Management & System Engineering
- Digital Transformation Consulting
- Usability Testing & Continuous Refinement

Key Technologies
- Drupal CMS
- Acquia Site Factory
- Drupal Paragraphs
- Twig, CSS, JavaScript
- Automated Quality Assurance Tools

Deliverables
- New Custom Drupal Theme
- Paragraphs System Implementation:
A toolbox of 37 paragraphs “page building blocks” to serve every Tufts content need with custom administrative interfaces to reduce confusion and assist editorial tasks. - Fully documented Code Repository: To allow for future site maintenance and improvements.
Results
The time reserved for training proved unnecessary, thanks to the intuitive design of the tutorial system.
- Successfully delivered all 37 custom page components on schedule
- Completed project under original budget
- Established new standards for digital presence across university
- Created intuitive administrative interfaces for content creators
- Achieved full WCAG and Section 508 compliance for all components
Metric Results:
- Reduced maintenance costs by 50% for over 50 institutional websites
- Estimated savings of 750K once fully deployed in 2 years
- Completed all 37 components on schedule
- Delivered project under original budget
This project showcases Launch Theory’s expertise in delivering enterprise-scale digital transformation through the development of a standardized Acquia Cloud Site Factory (ACSF) Drupal theme for Tufts University. By creating a sophisticated system of 37 custom page components and an intuitive administrative interface, the team addressed the critical challenge of managing hundreds of decentralized institutional websites while ensuring brand consistency and accessibility compliance. The project’s technical innovation in component architecture and project management methodology enabled successful delivery under compressed timelines, resulting in 50% reduction in maintenance costs and projected savings of 750K over two years. Launch Theory’s ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders while managing evolving requirements demonstrates our capacity to execute complex technical initiatives that drive substantial organizational efficiency and digital standardization.