MRS Case Study – UX-Led Rebuild and Drupal 11 Upgrade

The Background

MRS is a long-standing Adaptive client with a Drupal site that has evolved through several Drupal versions. This latest phase focused on modernising their Drupal 10 platform with a clean re-theme and upgrade to Drupal 11 - aligning technical improvements with strategic goals around user experience and positioning.

As the site had grown and expanded over time, new content, courses, and sections had been layered on, resulting in a cluttered structure and diluted messaging. Key journeys had become harder to navigate, and users were struggling to reach content efficiently. The project presented an opportunity to rethink how the site served both its audiences and its administrators - driving forward improvements in UX, accessibility, and the Drupal Admin Experience (AX).

The Requirements

Reinforce MRS’s expert positioning

Clearly position MRS as the leading voice in their sector, with a dedicated Experts area showcasing team credentials, training, and long-standing expertise.

Streamline the user experience

Simplify the site structure and layout to reduce friction, improve clarity, and guide users more effectively to key content and conversion points.

Support key user journeys

Map and prioritise content around core user personas and strategic goals, ensuring pathways are aligned with audience needs and business KPIs.

Improve the admin experience (AX)

Apply Adaptive’s AX+ approach to make content management more efficient, scalable, and consistent for internal teams.

Maintain key integrations

Preserve the existing integration with MRS’s Training Management System (TMS), ensuring seamless continuity and minimal redevelopment overhead.

Ensure SEO continuity

Work in close collaboration with MRS’s SEO partner, TDMP, to avoid disruption to rankings, preserve visibility, and support ongoing optimisation.

The Solution

Upgraded to Drupal 11

The site was successfully re-themed and upgraded to Drupal 11, giving MRS access to the latest features, performance improvements, and long-term platform support — all without disruption to core functionality.

Reused and Extended Existing Integrations

MRS’s existing integration with their Training Management System (TMS) — built in the previous Drupal 10 iteration — was retained and extended. By reusing Adaptive-developed modules, we avoided unnecessary redevelopment while maintaining continuity for internal teams and end users.

Smart Content Migration

Rather than rebuilding from scratch, we carried over and rationalised content from the previous site. This preserved valuable SEO equity, reduced overheads, and allowed us to focus effort on improving structure, UX, and performance.

Component-Based Page Building with AX+

Using Adaptive’s AX+ approach, the site was rebuilt with reusable, brand-compliant components - enabling no-code page creation and faster content production. Editors can manage layouts without touching HTML or CSS, saving time and improving consistency.

The Approach

Discovery

Building on our long-standing relationship with MRS, we carried out a structured discovery process focused on clarity, performance, and user outcomes.

This included a full UX audit with heatmap analysis, persona mapping, and user journey reviews - all aligned to business goals and KPIs. These insights shaped the design priorities and helped us streamline key pathways for both end users and content editors.

Development

We made significant use of the existing Drupal 10 implementation, leveraging Adaptive-built modules and integrations to accelerate delivery.

Working within the AX+ framework, our team was able to prototype and refine layouts quickly, using real content and data. This reduced overhead from traditional design-to-dev handoffs and enabled rapid, informed iterations throughout the build.

UX and AX

UX and AX were treated as parallel priorities - improving how users experience the site and how editors manage it.

We enhanced both the frontend experience and backend efficiency. The result is a platform that works just as well for the MRS team as it does for their audience.

What The Client Says

We have been delighted with the support and advice Adaptive provide. Adaptive have been a pleasure to deal with and provided professional, expert advice, always available to talk to if needed.

Julie Wilson

Marketing Manager