Website information architect | Website architecture

Briarbird specialises in information architecture for online products including websites (internet and intranet) and online applications.

Information architecture is our core strength

Information architecture (IA) is a complex discipline. But when it is done right, the result looks obvious and simple to the user. As online communication specialists, our core strength is the ability to structure and present complex information in ways to suit multiple audiences. We take a strong business-focus, ensuring that the information architecture meets the business goals and objectives.

What is information architecture?

Information architecture describes how content should be organised and presented, and how it should be linked together through navigation and menu systems. The aim is to ensure that customers can find the information they want, easily and confidently.

What are the features of a successful information architecture?

A robust information architecture has these features:

• Assists users to find and re-find information and services
• Caters to different types of users and the tasks they want to accomplish
• Provides the business with the mechanisms to promote their information to relevant users

How do we develop an information architecture?

The Briarbird team has led large and small information architecture projects. Our core approach involves:

• Workshops and research to establish the information requirements of the business and users
• Review and analysis of existing content and information, including classification by type
• Development of IA options, showing the different ways information can be organised and different navigation systems
• Design of wireframes and prototypes to allow rapid development and feedback
• Refinement of the design in consultation with the business and users (including usability testing and focus groups)
• Establishment of metadata requirements to support the information architecture, aid in content management and improve discoverability.
• Establishment of processes to manage the ongoing development of the information architecture

Lessons that we’ve learned about IA

Some of the lessons we’ve learned are:

• You have to start with the content
  • Idealised structures quickly break down in the face of real and often ‘messy’ content; not all content arrives
• The information architecture does not have to be perfect but it does have to be usable, intuitive and flexible
  • Not all categories will fit; there’s often the odd one out
  • Not all content is equal; the information architecture should be focused on getting users to the most important content on the site (make it work for 80% of the content)
• You need to test the IA with users
• Content authors need to understand how it works and why it works

Some recent information architecture projects

In the last two years Briarbird and its principal consultants have worked on a range of projects including:

• A large university website IA (2011)
• Shopping list application IA (2011)
• Coles Group gift card website IA review (2011)
• VicRoads – Customer Information System taxomony (2010)
• VicRoads website IA redevelopment (2009)
• IPAustralia.gov.au – IA review of 1200 pages as part of merger of six websites (2010)
• Brotherhood of St Laurence – IA work and review for internet and intranet (2009/10)
• LivingGreener.gov.au – IA review and refinement (2010)

Case study: University website information architecture

Situation: This particular university website has over 15,000 pages and almost 1 million hits per month. It has distributed authoring and management of content. The result has been a rambling website that is a less than ideal marketing tool for the university.

Task at hand: Briarbird’s task was to transform the information architecture of the website in order to make the website an effective marketing channel. The challenge was to not be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content and to identify those elements that were critical to success.

Action taken: This process involved extensive business consultation across the university and the development of goals, objectives and detailed supporting business requirements. The development of the IA also involved: content auditing; customer research; benchmarking; development of taxonomies; consideration of SEO impacts; iterative development of the navigation support systems.

Results: Briarbird delivered the IA model, wire frames and specification for the transformation of Deakin University website. This model is being used to guide the migration and implementation process in 2012.

Case study: Shopping list application – information architecture

Situation: An Australian retailer was developing an online application to allow users to create and manage their shopping lists.

Task at hand: Briarbird’s task to create the information architecture and detailed supporting wire frames.

Action taken: We were involved in requirements workshops where we assisted Coles in refining the business and user requirements. We developed prototypes (using Axure rapid prototyping tool) to help business owners understand the impact of the requirements. We then developed the detailed IA and wire frame documentation that specified all functional elements of the application from a user point of view. Finally we conducted user testing and presented the results to the business.

Results: The documentation and prototypes allowed the retailer to understand the complexity of the application. These documents were then sent to the IT company and were used as the basis of their quote.

Do you need help?

Contact us – we’re happy to chat through your project and see if we can be of help.