Information Architecture Creating well structured, usable sites.

Information ArchitectureCreating well structured, usable sites.

IA and Usability• a structure of pages, content and

features reflecting user needs and business requirements

Purpose of IA and Usability work

• to ensure a website is constructed and designed in such a way to fulfil its objectives (user & business)

Benefits of IA and Usability• Scalable• Allow for changes or additions without

affecting the entire site

• Usable• Intuitive navigation, concise & consistent

terminology, user oriented language & labelling

• Accessible• People with disabilities (visual) can ‘read’

a site

IA Activities• Requirement analysis• Statistical usage analysis• Competitor review• Site Content audit• Stakeholder workshops• User Focus Groups• Card sorting• Broadcast e-mail survey (Kano Analysis)• User Persona / Scenario development• Wire-frames• Site-map• Recommendations report• Sample Design concept• Usability testing (lab)

Who are your Users• Analyse statistics & analytics

• Analyse search engine usage

• Identify user paths

• Identify User Personas

• Focus on delivering relevant information and value to users

Analytics

User PathsUser Paths

Analysis

User PathsChannel

Navigation

Mary Stone 

Age: 19Education: Studying Humanities at Sydney UniversityInternet connection: ADSLLocation: inner Sydney CBD

Computing and Web experience:Mary has been using the web since primary school and is quite familiar with general navigation and has no trouble finding university related content. On average she spends 3 hours per day on the internet (at home and university), which includes researching assignments as well as using social networking sites to socialise.Contacting friends using Facebook is an important part of Mary’s day, so she regularly signs in to her account to check for messages and updates. To her, it is the equivalent to checking her mobile phone for messages.Mary does not feel she is at risk of credit card fraud online, and regularly uses transactional sites such as eBay and Amazon, to purchase books and other personal items.

Persona Development• User Personas

Card Sorting - Sitemap

Card Sorting - Sitemap

Usability• Easy-to-use navigation

• Clear labelling (user oriented)

• Supportive design

• Clear calls-to-action

• Accessible site

IA and Design• Great websites offer well structured IA

and creative, usable Design

• Great websites are not only redesigned but continuously improved