A content management system (CMS) is the software that VA content managers use to edit and publish content on VA.gov.

The VA is currently in the process of moving content into one primary content management system: Drupal CMS. VA.gov is using a decoupled approach. This means that content editors make changes in Drupal CMS, but a different system adds style and formatting before the content is visible to Veterans on VA.gov.

The benefits of using Drupal CMS for VA.gov include:

• A “single source of truth” for information about VA benefits and health care through shared vocabulary and content libraries.
• A Veteran-centered template for VA medical center systems, to serve the largest network of hospitals in the country.
• Editor-centered design to ensure that content editors are empowered to serve Veterans.
• Open-source code that can be customized and continuously improved.
• A system that the VA can support internally long term.

CMS terms at a glance

• CMS - Content management system. The software that VA content managers use to edit and publish content on VA.gov. Also referred to as Drupal CMS or just Drupal.
• Content type - CMS categories that define how different kinds of content relate to each other, and how they’re displayed in front end templates.
• Sections - A structure that defines which level of VA is responsible for content. For example, each VAMC is treated as its own section, and is contained by the larger sections of VISNs and the Veterans Health Administration.
• Node - An individual piece of content within the CMS. A front end page on VA.gov could consist of a single node (i.e. Story pages) or multiple nodes (i.e. VAMC Facility including VAMC Facility Health Services)