Information Architecture / Study Module 6. Value

SJSU SLIS LIBR287 Updated 01/21/2005

IA Information Architecture
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Define Understand Analyze Shape Create _Value

Value information architecture to managers, colleagues, and clients

Managers, colleagues, and clients are often quick to rush to the finished product. The information architect understands that an important part of the the project is to make sure that the preliminary "knowledge" work of defining, understanding, analyzing, shaping, and creating is performed, and the prototype is fully tested before finished construction is undertaken. But how is it important...and why? ..and how do we know it is important?

IA's also understand that iterative testing and constant constructive feedback is critical to project success, but clients (bosses, coworkers, funders, etc.) are often unaware of the importance of this "unseen" and sometimes expensive knowledge work. They frequently hesitate to fund and support usability testing, and often find it an easy target for budget cuts. This module will help us develop and articulate arguments, techniques, and tactics for valuing the work of information architecture to managers, colleagues, and clients.

Value Assignments:

How does usability testing translate into tangible and intangible values that can be understood by project sponsors?

Refer back to your "value of usability" statements from study Module 2...does your argument still hold? How might you you perfect (rewrite/respeak) it?
Seek out relevant valuing models from the business, nonprofit, government, academic, technology worlds (in other words, non library information science, non-IA) that might be easily used to defend usability processes and value Information Architecture.

Are you finding any arguments in the "other" disciplines that value usabilty testing or Information Architecture?
What are our clients saying about us? Share in our Blackboard->Forum->Study Modules->Value->What Non-IAs Say discussion

We realize that our IA projects are not anywhere NEAR finished...but, its time to get started:
Conduct a "Guerrilla-User Test" (IA Workbook Module 7) on your IA prototype.
Use at least five participants (fellow students, family, friends, co-workers, etc.) for your study. Synthesize and post a analysis of your results along with a brief narrative of the experience and findings in the Blackboard->Forums->Study Modules->Value->Guerrilla-Usability Testi discussion, name your post "yourlastname, yourfirstname"
Read and comment on other student posts.

Did your users react the way you anticipated?
Did you learn something about your assumptions about how your project would be used?
Did your "guerrilla user test" reveal major weaknesses in your design?
Did the early prototyping prompt new ideas and approaches for your project?
Do you need to "go back to the drawing board" and rework your foundation....your framing, your aesthetics?

Value Links

cost effective workflows with focus on prototyping and usability test
http://guuui.com/issues/02_02.asp

IA Information Architecture
Syllabus / Schedule / 1st Assignment / Study Modules / Projects / Blackboard