Analyzing the information to be stored in a website and labels and menus to make information understandable and findable.
Learning/improvement resources: 

The IA Institute

Tools like OptimalSort and TreeJack

Demonstrated by: 

Wikipedia says it well: "Information architecture (IA) is the structural design of shared information environments; the art and science of organizing and labeling websites, intranets, online communities and software to support usability and findability." An information architect organizing the content of a website so that information and services are easily usable and findable.

A Skilled information architect should be able to do the following:

  • Inventory the information to be displayed (or already displayed) on a website
  • Conduct interviews to determine the labels and menus that need to be designed
  • Identify the terms that website visitors use and understand
  • Identify how these terms should be used as labels in menus and other site navigation
  • Create groups of labels for use as menus

An Expert information architect should additionally be able to do the following:

  • Conduct card sorting and tree testing user tests to improve and validate proposed labels and menus
  • Analyze data from web searches that lead people to the site to determine the words and phrases they use

Roles and Tasks that may use this skill

Accessibility group member (Contributor role)
Improve the accessibility of Drupal core and contributed modules, themes, and distributions
Duration: ongoing