Information Architecture & Design Week 10 Schedule -Construction of IA and Web -Rosenfeld Chapters 17 & 18 -Research Topic Presentations -Research Papers Returned

IA Methodology AnalysisDesign VerificationConstructionMaintenance Planning

The Construction Phase Construction is building the product. -Using all of the information from the preceding phases to make a product suited to the users and their environment. -Following structured information engineering principles to provide rigor and metrics.

Construction Developing Content Organizing Content -Version Control -Conventions Construction Methods Templates File Names Cooperative Development Backups Revision to Project Plan

Construction Tips Don’t Use Bad Tools -Interfaces -Functionality -Outputs Don’t Rely on Tool-Generated Markup Fine-Tune Generated Markup Save Multiple (All) Versions Prepare Different Formats Backups Coordination -Version Control -Serial Development -Communication

Construction Resources htmlhttp://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/ html

Construction Resources (2)

Constructing the IA Product Planning and Designing Are Over – What’s Next? Construction (Depending on Size) Uses the Most Project Resources -Time -People Selling the Project -To Management -To Developers and IA Project Team IA Is A Resource

Making the Case for IA The Methods Save Resources -Less Design Errors -Faster Construction -Following the Plan Over 90% of Software Projects Are Never Completed Requirements Aren’t Tracked for Subsequent Versions

IA ROI (Construction Goals) -Find Information Faster -Find Information (!) -Make Sense of Information Found -Less Time Searching for Documents -More Completed Purchases -Fewer Navigation Errors -Better Understanding of Information (Context and Content) -Fewer System Resources -Less Technical Support -Higher Quality Final Design -Difficult To Verify and Measure

IA Value Checklist Reduces the Cost of Finding Information Reduces the Cost of Finding Wrong Information Reduces the Cost of Not Finding Information at All Provides a Competitive Advantage Increases Product Awareness Increases Sales Makes Using a Site A More Enjoyable Experience (IAv2 p 344-5)

IA Value Checklist, Part Two Improves Brand Loyalty Reduces Reliance on Documentation Reduces Maintenance Costs Reduces Training Costs Reduces Staff Turnover Reduces Organizational Upheaval Reduces Organizational Politicking Improves Knowledge Sharing Reduces Duplication of Effort Solidifies Business Strategies (IAv2 p 344-5)

IA & Business Strategy Business Goals vs. IA IA Exposes Business Goals -New Models for Organizing Information -New Tasks With Old Information -New Ways of Working The IA Project Plan as a Business Plan -Focus on the Users/Customers -Focus on Goals (in addition to Tasks) Corporate Sponsorship -Business Needs -Executive Clarity

Presentations 3 Presentations 2:40 Exit

Bonus Points – IA Tool Reviews Each Review Contributes 1 point to Final Grade Up to Five IA Tool Reviews Submit Notice of IA Tool Review and Name of Tool -IA Tool Review Format: One IA Tool (or class of tool) Key IA Functions of Tool Describe Interface and Unique Features -Menus -Commands -Formats Screen Capture of Main Tool Interface & Additional Noteworthy Features Example of Tool Output (graphic, search results,…)

IA Tools? -Search Engine (For a Web Site) -Thesaurus Management -Portals -Web Analytics -Diagramming -HTML/CSS/XML Editors -Site Management

Next Week Design Critiques Returned 10-Minute Drill: Project Group Check-In Presentations Readings -Two Questions for Class Discussion -Class Participation Special Bonus Topic: WebAnalytics!