[Sigia-l] Taxonomies & Navigation

[Jacqui Olkin]

Hi, Paula! I hope things are going well for you.
 
When I do Web redesigns or reorgs, I try to separate the concepts of information architecture (how the content is organized), taxonomy (how the content is related, through metadata or other means), and navigation (how content is found through the use of menus, links, etc.). 
 
To help the client understand the differences, and also to document the requirements or decisions regarding IA, taxonomy, and navigation, I typically produce three types of documentation:
 
-a diagram and accompanying outline of the IA
-a relationship map and/or spreadsheet representing taxonomy and/or the metadata model, and 
-wireframes to represent navigation
 
As far as reassuring the content owners that their content will be findable, I try to include as many stakeholders as possible in the process of developing and vetting IA and taxonomy. I also employ usability testing to ensure the findability of content and get feedback on labeling and taxonomy. Often, I develop polyhierarchical site structures that offer both a topical and taxonomic view of content, but the usefulness of this approach would depend on the volume of content and the differences between the needs of different site audiences.
 
I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if I can clarify anything.
 
JacquiJacqui Olkin Olkin Communications Consulting jacqui at olkincommunications.com 571-643-6020 ph. 703-834-5653 fax www.olkincommunications.comweb . print . content . strategy 



> From: pmajerowicz at ecorexperience.com> To: sigia-l at asis.org> Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:07:12 -0400> Subject: [Sigia-l] Taxonomies & Navigation> > Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this subject....> > A taxonomy is the "basis" for navigation but it is not necessarily "de> facto" navigation, especially for complex, content-rich sites. In a> situation such as this, content owners may feel that their "piece of the> world" is less important because they are not a nav item (especially when it> would require 4th or 5th or greater level nav to get to that content> hierarchically). > > Does anyone have any suggestions for how best to deal with visually> communicating the difference between a complex taxonomy and navigation?> (Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, Hyperbolic maps, geneology-type maps, etc.)> > Sure appreciate any thoughts.> > Regards,> Paula> > Paula M. Majerowicz> eCoreXperience> p. 800.619.5107 x704> c. 914.456.0702> f. 800.619.5107> pmajerowicz at ecorexperience.com> www.ecorexperience.com <http://www.ecorexperience.com/> > > Usability. Design for it.> > ------------> IA Summit 2008: "Experiencing Information" > April 10-14, 2008, Miami, Florida> > -----> When replying, please *trim your post* as much as possible.> *Plain text, please; NO Attachments> > Searchable Archive at http://www.info-arch.org/lists/sigia-l/> ________________________________________> Sigia-l mailing list -- post to: Sigia-l at asis.org> Changes to subscription: http://mail.asis.org/mailman/listinfo/sigia-l
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