What is Information Architecture?

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Information architecture is the term used to describe the structure of a system, i.e. the way information is grouped, the navigation methods and terminology used within the system.

Information architecture is the term used to describe the structure of a system, i.e. the way information is grouped, the navigation methods and terminology used within the system.
Effective information architecture enables people to step logically through a system, confident they are getting closer to the information they require. Most people only notice information architecture when it is poor and stops them from finding the information they require.

Information architecture is most commonly associated with websites and intranets, but it can be used in the context of any information structures or computer systems.
Designing Large-Scale websites for the World Wide Web using information architecture can be defined as:

1. The combination of organisation, labelling and navigation schemes within an information system.
2. The structural design of an information space to facilitate task completion and intuitive access to content.
3. The art and science of structuring and classifying web sites and intranets to help people find and manage information.
4. An emerging discipline and community or practice focused on bringing principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape.

The most common problem with information architecture is that they simply mimic a company’s organisational structure.
Although this can often appear logical and an easy solution for those involved in defining the architecture, people using systems (even intranets) often don’t know or think in terms of organisational structure when trying to find information.

Effective information architecture comes from understanding business objectives and constraints, the content, and the requirements of the people that will use the site.
Information architecture is often described using a combination of the following terms:

Business/Context – Understanding an organisation’s business objectives, politics, culture, technology, resources and constraints is essential before considering development of the information architecture

Content - The most effective method for understanding the quantity of content proposed for a system is to conduct a content inventory. Content inventories identify all of the proposed content for a system, where the content currently resides, who owns it and any existing relationships between content.

Users – Effective information architecture must reflect the way people think about the subject matter. Techniques for getting users involved in the creation of information architecture include:

1. Card sorting – Involves representative users sorting a series of cards, each labelled with a piece of content or functionality, into groups that make sense to them. Card sorting generates ideas for how information could be grouped or labelled.
2. Card based classification evaluation – A technique used for testing information architecture before it has been implemented. The technique involves writing each level of information architecture on a large card, and developing a set of information-seeking tasks for people to perform using the architecture.