Information Architecture for the World Wide Web (3rd Edition) added February 21, 2011

This book uses the architectural analogy to describe the complex multidimensional nature of information spaces. Information proliferates quickly, and it can be enormously challenging to organize and present it effectively. Architecting a high-quality user experience for those who interact with information in a digital form is challenging and rewarding; this book supplies valuable tools for doing a better job of developing information systems.

Why the focus on the world wide web? The world wide web provides the potential for unprecedented access to and relevance of information. Organizing the seemingly limitless content potentially presentable through a website is an important skill.

One of the primary challenges facing digital content creators is the establishment of boundaries. There are no definite limitations on how content should be organized or how much content should be displayed on a website. Computer documents have (for practical intents and purposes) limitless space, so establishing parameters for a digital content system is a critical element for any large web publishing project.

Information Architecture for the World Wide Web describes the intersection of library science and computer science. As technology evolves and matures, there is a natural shift toward the high-level conceptual challenges and away from the low-level technical implementation details. In the early days of the world wide web, it was a novelty to have a website at all, skill in web design was much more broadly defined, and conventions for website organization were being continually brainstormed.

Now the web is quite mature; common practices have emerged, usability has generally risen, users have become more competent, and competition has grown. Frustrating user experiences are now more likely than ever to drive away potential customers, because better alternatives are typically available. Information architecture has serious implications for internal collaborative intranet sites, as well; inefficient portals reduce worker efficiency, leading to reduced potential effectiveness for the entire organization.

The book features:

• an introduction to the field of information architecture
• a summary of the current state of the practice of information architecture
• a system for identifying information needs and information-seeking behaviors
• an anatomy for devising an information architecture
• a summary of various types of organization systems
• a survey of labeling systems
• an exploration of navigation systems
• a discussion of search systems
• specification of thesauri, controlled vocabularies, and metadata
• a functional process and methodology for developing and implementing an information architecture
• a survey of the practice of information architecture
• a case for pitching the concepts presented to managers and customers
• methods for incorporating information architecture in business strategy
• a guide for managing an enterprise information architecture
• a guide for managing an enterprise information architecture
• and a couple of case studies

Understanding the material discussed in this book provides a strong foundation for building high-quality user experiences for web projects. We are constantly overloaded with increasing information. Information architecture enables this large mass of data to be effectively handled.