DITA 10 - Information Architectures

A defined information architecture (IA) is an essential step in creating usable information systems (IS). With discrete systems and specific users (say an air traffic management system) designers can map out a comprehensive IA and any non-intuitive commands required are addressed through operator training. A web based IS needs to be intuitive, managing information structures, searches and keyword vocabularies to provide simple access to relevant information for the stated purpose.

When browsing websites I have seen poor IA that seems to obscure the information or where no search facility is provided and the site requires you to guess where the information of interest is categorised. So, when creating an information architecture for websites the design stage includes checking the market and competition for relevant and highly ranked topics and then using a keyword analyser to identify top search terms for that topic. This information then helps to choose the top level search terms which are most likely to be of benefit to the user arriving at the site for the first time.
(Ref How Keywords Help Determine Site Architecture By Eric Enge, Search Engine Watch, Oct 6, 2009.) and also an example IA Development Process.

Past GIS have been organisation specific to support geographic data management (e.g. town planning by a council) but since the advent of websites presenting geographic data like GoogleEarth and StreetMap anyone can access a GIS and they need to be intuitive. This usually includes map presentations based on peoples experience with paper maps. In addition the types of underlying data and information files and structures need to be designed to facilitate the user needs (e.g. raster map data alone would limit the ability of a user to interact with symbols on the map like a photograph of the location or information about nearby hotels).