[Sigia-l] tenets, principles, standards (was AIfIA Goals 2004 Survey Result s)

[Hankinson, Jody]

Being a slow day at the office, I actually read all the posts in this
thread. I think I've noticed a trend. My sense is that everyone who is pro
standards would like to increase the efficiency of practicing IA, so that at
certain stages there are certain solutions, thereby saving the creative
thinking for other aspects of the project. While Ziya (and I'll include
myself) are in favor of general guidelines, but not standards, and see the
potential for creativity in every decision and aspect of the project.

With that realization, I have to ask, we are a young field of practice in a
young medium, why do we want to behave like practitioners in old media?
That's not to say we shouldn't beg, borrow and steal successful practices,
but why write a rule book? 

So far as I can tell, the only big reason put forward is that standards make
getting a job easier. Well, a better economy will help in that department as
much as anything. So what are the other reasons? And why won't the word
principles do for the time being? Let's take the focus off the damn
nomenclature and do the work. The language will come with time.

Jody Hankinson | Information Architect
212.852.5051 | jhankinson at girlscouts.org
GSUSA | Where Girls Grow Strong | 420 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10018

-----Original Message-----
From: Listera [mailto:listera at rcn.com] 
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2003 2:30 PM
To: SIGIA-L
Subject: Re: [Sigia-l] AIfIA Goals 2004 Survey Results

Now, are there any 'principles,' as you suggest? I'd be more comfortable
with the notion of 'consequences.' If you put the navbar on the right, there
are a series of consequences which may be good or bad in your *specific*
case. Having links in blue has certain consequences with legacy web habits.
Not using Visio in a shop with Microsoft lock-in leads to certain
consequences. These are all legitimate considerations one needs to weigh.
But to elevate them to the level of standards is plain misguided. Consider
their consequences, think through, test if you need to, make a decision and
move on.