1. Anatomy of IA Search Browse “Invisibles” Interface Query Language
Index & Algorithms
Results (Zones)
Browse
Taxonomies & Hierarchies
Global (site-wide) & Local Navigation Links
Tables of Contents, Site Maps, Indices
Guides, Pathfinders, Wizards, Tasks
Content & Contextual Links
“Invisibles”
Controlled Vocabularies (language use)
Thesauri
Rule Sets (Canned search results)

2. Structural Anatomy for IA
Headings
Embedded Links
Metadata (appearance)
Chunks of Content
Lists
Steps
Identifiers
Navigational Help
Logos(?)

3. Organizing Information…
Topic
Yellow Pages
Layers
Task
Shop
Learn
Audience
Experts
Beginners
Metaphor
Hybrids

4. Questions for IA Organization
Who is using the site?
Purpose
(Just in time) Help!
What are the goals of the site?
Content
Where are the key pieces of information?
Navigation
Wayfinding
When is the site used?
What’s New?
What’s Old?
How will the site be used?
Search?
Browse?
Why this site?

5. Presentation Materials
Wireframes
User models
Scenarios
Site Maps
(early) Designs
Task flows

6. Presentation Deliverables
Paper prototypes
Wireframes (templates)
Blueprints (Site maps)
Controlled vocabularies (label sorts)
User scenarios (storyboards)
Metadata schemas
Metaphors
Design palettes
Content inventory

7. Presentation Discussion
What kind of site did you build?
Informational, Entertainment, Portfolio, Content display, Context with links
What resources do you have?
Content, Ideas, Circumstance, Customer
Who is your user audience?
What will the site be used for?
What are the goals of the site?
What problem does your design solve?
Why would someone want to use your site?
What’s the ROI for the site?

8. IA Mechanics Checklist
XHTML Validation
With Dreamweaver
508 Accessibility compliance
With Bobby
Working with common browsers
Window sizes & resolution
Style Sheet(s)
Verification
All links work
Page names & TITLEs

9. IA Design Checklist Navigation Labels Navigation Stress Test
Simplicity & Functionality
Labels
File & directory names
Link names, headings & keywords