Information architecture for large bodies of content
The problem
We live in an age of information overload. The ever increasing number of documents that are being stored and retrieved imposes an enormous burden on those who are searching for the information as well as those who are creating it. Moreover, if this body of information has grown in an organic and haphazard fashion then the problem is further compounded.
If the categories, terminology and groupings used to organize the information do not match those used by persons conducting searches, then searches will inevitably be fruitless. The inability to find information on an internet site or on an organization’s intranet, represents a serious cost in time, lost efficiency and lost opportunities, in addition to the direct cost incurred due to the unnecessary duplication of documents.
The solutions
Namahn brings order to chaos. We design an information architecture for your content. We provide you with a structural analysis of your existing content, as well as a scheme to organize it in a way that matches the needs of both authors and readers, and which complies with a content management system, if necessary.
Even though the body of information may be so large and disorganized as to make the problem appear daunting, the solution need not be. It is perfectly possible to apply a bottom-up solution retroactively, by addressing and rectifying the situation in one area at a time.
The approach
The process starts with a detailed analysis of the structure and content of the information. This involves a complete audit of the current content and the information objects within it. The audit is conducted down to the level of granularity required to identify each information object. Patterns readily emerge, and the characteristics of the content can be established.
Stakeholders are interviewed to determine the exact nature of the problem with regard to both the retrieval and deposition of content. Getting user input is essential because the terminology used by the system must accurately describe the data. Moreover, to ensure speedy and intuitive searches, the terminology used in the data repository must match the terminology that is used to search for it.
The deliverables
On the basis of the stakeholder interviews and careful analysis of your existing content, Namahn derives a taxonomy for your content. A taxonomy consists of a number of high level terms describing the fundamental elements of the content and the relationships between these elements. It is derived not only from the characteristics of the existing content but also from users’ needs. This is done to ensure that content can be easily identified and understood by users.
The taxonomy is useful in that it provides a body of precise and consistent terminology, and identifies the relationships between terms. The taxonomy can be used to:
- classify the data into distinct categories
- form a basis for site navigation
- define a content management system or fit into one
- specify metadata that is assigned to information entered into the system
- provide a “conceptual” map of the content in the repository
- provide guidelines for authors and readers
- map the original content to the new structure
While a taxonomy is a rigorous instrument for describing and organizing content, developing one is a subjective exercise. A workshop, therefore, is required to establish the final requirements. The process of developing a taxonomy is nearly as useful as the end-product. The taxonomy can be used as the basis for internal discussion, and to ensure that everyone in the organization speaks the same “language” when it comes to understanding the information available in the organization.
The benefits
Namahn’s user-centered design methodology ensures that all users’ needs have been fully taken into account in designing the taxonomy and the information architecture which it supports. Combined with our proven experience and state of the art technical expertise, this ensures that information is both easier to find and easier to manage. The end result is substantial savings in time and materials, as well as increased efficiency. Moreover, since the Namahn solution is always based on user input and makes information transparent in your organization, a by-product of the information architecture design process is improved communication and efficiency within your organization. We also pay close attention to knowledge transfer to ensure that you are able to maintain and develop the system over the long-term.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of an information architecture designed by Namahn is that it can give you a competitive edge. Key pieces of information become readily available for the first time. You can use these to gain a competitive advantage in marketing, customer service or other areas of your business. It goes without saying that in the information age, winning in business is often the result of superior insight or superlative customer service.