[Sigia-l] Online Card Sort

[MJJAIXEN at up.com]

I need to reorganize our intranet away from it's old tired "org-chart"
based architecture to a much more functional structure.  I've been mining
feedback, opinions, log analysis, etc. to put together a list of the most
important items on our web site (and even my own straw-man prototype of an
example of how a functional design might look).  However, now I need some
data to work with.

I've had great success with card sorts in redesigning some individual
sections of our site, but now I need to take it to the next level and get
some data on the overall site structure.  We have a very diverse group of
employees - less than 10% of employees work in our headquarters office.
The other 90% of employees are stretched across 23 states, working in the
field.  The majority of employees don't even access our web site from the
office; most access it from home.  A traditional card sort where you pick a
few employees and put them in a conference room, and let them go at it
simply isn't feasible.

I'm thinking that an online card sort, in conjunction with a survey, would
be the most appropriate way to get the feedback I need.  I have a few
thoughts on how it could be done, but before beginning, I'd like to see if
anyone has ever attempted this, how they did it, and how it did or didn't
turn out.

Mike Jaixen
Union Pacific