Information Architecture (IA) Diagrams, Workshops and Strategy

Information Architecture (IA) is one of the most important services &Mine deliver for clients. Why? Because as part of an any organisation structure and process are at the heart of any efficient information system. The goal of the IA is to arrange human and data (information) interactions for optimised outcomes, reducing overheads, minimising interactions and allowing us to “get” to the core and relevant info from ideal / right sources. Sounds high level right ? It is. The complexity computers and systems engineering has allowed us to evolve around provides the promise of making things easier, but how many of us are frustrated by the technology, systems, software and programs around us?

The overarching goal of information architecture is to deliver on the promise of efficient and beneficial technology use, not deliver even more complexity and inefficiency.  Yes, we build gantt charts, and data flow diagrams,  and information architecture visualisations, we build gate diagrams and informational navigation rulesets all tools to get to the ‘core’ of the information architecture benefits…however…

What we really do is understand the level up opportunity around businesses and their information systems; the baseline best practice is absolutely build solutions that reduce costs, build robust functionality, future proof technology choices and build congruent roadmaps aligned to business goals. But by far, most importantly, the absolute take home from any IA investment is; improve systems which make people happy to use them.

Our IA service and processes covers;

• Introduction to exisiting Information Architecture
• Research and Analysis of exisiting IA vs. Industry Standards (inc. Enterprise and Open Architecture)
• Workshops with team and 3rd party technical resources for IA solutions
• Informational Architecture Recommendations and Strategy Development
• Information Architecture Visual Design Mapping
• Comparative Impact Resourcing and Cost Benefit Analysis
• Information Architecture Formal Recommendations

IA Projects are delivered for a part or whole organisation structure (often organisations have set systems which are never up for review or rarely, say ever few years).

IA Projects are either considered as (A) stand alone project or (B) when new software platform or integration is being is considered. Let us know your starting point.

&Mine often build IA reviews into the start of projects as mandatory (or will discuss high level any obvious challenges we see). Especially if a current Information Architecture Diagram is not available from an organisation, that is a big sign there will be huge inefficiencies and gaps to improve.

Organisations too frequently fork out funding for new tech projects (new is exciting right? – especially with new budgets), but without thinking how long term the current choices will effect their overall technology performance in the future.

Our goals avoid band-aid technology solutions, even if the new budget is not perceived as a band-aid. Any complexity you add to a system can add inefficiency to your resources and frustration to your team. This can and must be avoided with when Information Architecture is developed at a minimum of best practice, ideally well above.