Praxis Communications, Inc.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE - THE BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS
Challenge:
Imagine constructing an office complex or home without an architect, or hiring an interior designer and disregarding the need for a blueprint. Consider the consequences of erecting a structure without understanding where the supports should be, or wiring without any provisions for future growth. Building a web site without the guidance of an Information Architect can have the same destructive consequences. Web sites should be planned today for at least the next five years, with an eye for an expandable platform, timeless looking creative features, tools that will offer expandable features and databases that can be harvested with customer and product data over the life of the web site.

Just as an architect will plan for the addition of wings or rooms, extra wiring or support for future technology, Information Architects anticipate growth and build with expansion in mind. Ultimately, it means that the client won't have to endure costly renovations - or worse - level the entire site after only a couple of years. The proper navigation with room for expansion is almost as important as the look of the web site developed. If this is not done correctly in the planning stages, your site may become disorienting or worse; it could be obsolete in just a year or so.

Solution:
An Information Architect, who is skilled in this discipline, should be assigned to ensure that the proper planning is developed. Web sites should be designed to accommodate multiple levels of users so that novices can readily understand and employ the site, while shortcuts and rewards can be offered as users gain experience. The Information Architect acts as a resource for his/her team by constantly assessing the latest business landscape and technologies on the market. Valuations are shared, along with the foundation on how to specifically leverage the new technology and decrease overall long-term costs.

The Architect plans for how information can be found quickly by the user. The Architect plans so clicks are kept to a minimum and viewers can find promotional pieces easily. The Architect does research to learn what information viewers will want most and plans the shortest movement to get them there.

Getting it done:
  1. Survey internal and external audiences to learn functional goals and objectives.
  2. Build an Internet strategy that works in tandem with the business strategy.
  3. Organize the flow of content (including content mapping) of the proposed site, to ensure that the functionality, navigation and labeling is intuitive for the user.
  4. Develop the functional specifications document, working in tandem with the content map and the Internet strategy to articulate the functionality, robustness and information flow a viewer will experience when they use the new site.
  5. Secure agreement on the proposed site.

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