Administration Of A Website Information Architecture November 17, 2010

This session covers What is information architecture Why is it important? Why is it difficult? Planning Planning components Top five mistakes Developing intuitive information architecture Governance

What is Information Architecture Allows organization of your web pages, documents, lists and data Is the hierarchical list of site content, search keywords, data types and metadata Supports findability and usability Is the practice of structuring information for a specific purpose

A Visual Definition Users audience types information needs HOME About UsServicesBusinesses Residents Information Architecture Info. Architecture organization, labels, navigation, metadata searching systems Questions Content scope and volume data systems Site(s) structure Answers Business Context Strategy Resources Culture Business Processes and Workflow Governance (Policies and procedures)

Why is Information Architecture Important? An organized site = easy to navigate A well-planned site = best practices Additional benefits = greater usability and higher keyword search success

Why is Information Architecture Difficult? Communication Gaps Labeling Thinking like the end user Varied data sources Various persons maintaining the information

Planning Information Architecture Involve all stakeholders Use Surveys Create a site map Plan your information Organize/rearrange your content

Planning Information Architecture: Tips Keep it simple, if changes require significant time to demonstrate, rethink your selected method of planning. Follow the order of the steps Encourage stakeholders to stay involved.

Planning Components Organization methods Labeling Navigation systems Increase search capabilities: by using metadata Usability

Planning Components: Organization Methods Plain Old Text Slides HTML Wireframes Site Maps

Planning Components: Organization Methods Wireframe Example

Planning Components: Organization Methods Site Map Example

Planning Components: Labeling Labeling is a form of representation Use labels to represent larger chunks of information  Labels for navigation  Labels as headings  Labels as contextual links  Labels for index terms The goal of labeling is to communicate information efficiently

Planning Components: Labeling Examples

Planning Components: Navigation Outline your navigation structure from your site map Decide uses (vertical, horizontal, etc.) Consider audience targeted navigation for large sites (for example: labels for “Live Here” or “Visit Here” may have two distinct informational paths. Include your mock up navigation on your wireframe

Planning Components: Increase Search Capabilities by Using Metadata ‘Data about data’  Title  Description  Authored date  Keywords Historically used to improve searching – search can use the metadata fields Used to relate information together

Planning Components: Metadata Examples Metadata about the type of document Allows for greater search and filtering when finding information Metadata describing the county the file originated from

Planning Components: Usability Once you have a draft information architecture (organization, navigation, metadata, labels), conduct appropriate usability research to collect feedback from the target audience. Methods may include: Cognitive Walkthroughs, Contextual Task Analyses, and Usability Testing.

Top Five Mistakes No structure Search and structure not integrated Missing category landing pages Extreme polyhierarchy Subsites poorly integrated with main site

Developing Intuitive Information Architecture Define mission/purpose of site Define long and short-term goals Pinpoint intended audience Focus on site content and content inventory Determine websites organization structure Create the website outline Visual website blue-print Good navigational systems Conduct user research

Governance Architecture governance is the practice and orientation by which enterprise architectures and other architectures are managed and controlled at an enterprise-wide level. Governance should be reviewed annually

Questions and Answers

Reference Resources Learning  ecture_tutorial/ ecture_tutorial/  architecture architecture Tools  Guide  IAguide2.pdf IAguide2.pdf

Thank You for Attending! Kathie Glassel Technology Programs Administrator X 3353 If you have questions, please feel free to call or Nic Poague Database / Web Specialist X 3354