Information Architecture

Information architecture, focuses on the broad idea about how all information for a particular project, such as a software application, website, or a technical manual, should be organized. The information architect develops a pattern from all the information presented and then organizes the information. To begin, an information plan may be developed to get an understanding about the information product and the audience.

In the case of website, information architecture is present in the navigation as it is closely related to how the information is structured on the server or database. Visitors of a website should intuitively know what to click to get to where they want to go simply by the label applied to the link or button.

Large banks of content, like you see on this website, are structured in a content management system so that any article can be located among the hundreds that reside in a database. The content management system that supports this site has went through the information architecture process. Investing in the planning phases before adding numerous articles saves time in locating current information and where to place future information.