if information architecture were like a box of chocolates…

If Information Architecture were like a box of chocolates…David McMillan, MBA, B.Sc., MCTDevFacto Technologies Inc.

Information Architecture

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Husband

Father

Speaker

Evangelist

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“My momma always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.’" - Forrest Gump

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OverviewThis presentation will examine:

The purpose and value of information architecture (I.A.) The causes of ineffective I.A. The key components of successful I.A. implementation

A Brief Introduction

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What is Information architecture? The art and science of organizing and labelling

information Usability Findability Content

ContextControl

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Why is I.A. important? Business value #1 of good I.A.

Reduced time in finding the correct information. Reduced Duplication of Information. Less Misinformation.

Business value #2 of good I.A. Better ROI through the effective use of Technology. Technology is used as intended. Technology enables users, not inhibits them

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So wait a second…A box of chocolates has an implementation of

information architecture?

YES! (It just hasn’t been organized very well)

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IA is in the box

Caramel Orange Cream Salted Caramel Strawberry Cream Mocha Ganache Vanilla Cream

Coffee Cream Praline Cherry Brandy Nut Buster Almond Nougat Mocha Cream

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But sometimes it’s hard to read

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Or it isn’t consistent

THE CAUSES OF INEFFECTIVE IA

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The Causes of ineffective I.A. Ambiguity

A lack of uniqueness Variation

A lack of consistency Ignorance

A lack of information

THE CAUSES OF INEFFECTIVE IAAmbiguity

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Ambiguityam·bi·gu·i·ty noun \ˌam-bə-ˈgyü-ə-tē\ Definition: something that does not have a single clear meaning; something that is ambiguousAntonyms clarity, clearness, obviousness, plainness

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AmbiguityThe cause:

Limited variety of colours, shape and/or design Not organized in a way that makes sense Too many options (flavors)

The fix: If we cannot change the physical attributes, we can… Sort (index) Filter (reduce the variety)

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Ambiguity fix: sortSort (indexing)

The process of assigning content objects with specific attribute values

Group chocolates in ways that limit the chance of error or confusion

i.e. The caramel is in column 2, row 3

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Ambiguity fix: FilterFilter (reduce variety)

Reducing the variety provides less chance of choosing the wrong one

Filters ensure only relevant and useful information is provided

i.e. Pot of Gold, caramels only

THE CAUSES OF INEFFECTIVE IAVariation

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VARIATIONvar·i·a·tion noun \ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən\ Definition: something that is similar to something else but different in some wayAntonyms: fixation, stabilization

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VariationThe cause:

Lack of quality control Not enough differentiators

The fix: Structure (improve consistency) Clarity (improve differentiators)

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Variation Fix: StructureStructure (improve consistency)

In the case of chocolates, consistency could be achieved through quality control

Manage statistical fluctuations (variances) in the process (e.g. Six Sigma)

In information architecture we use tools like vocabularies and taxonomies to control the consistency of inputs

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Variation Fix: StructureFrom and information perspective:A vocabulary is a set of words (or terms) used to control the input possibilities

E.g. If we want to search for the United States as a country, if someone has entered US or USA, the result set will not reflect that record

A taxonomy is a structured set of metadata used for classification of information, which may or may not include vocabularies

More on this later

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Variation fix: clarityClarity (improve differentiators)

In the case of chocolate, clarity could be improved through changing physical attributes such as: Shape – basis shapes like square, ball, rectangle, etc. Color – white, light, dark, colorful toppings, etc. Texture or pattern – dots, lines, combinations, etc.

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Variation fix: claritySome basic combinations:

Shapes: 5 Colors (Red, Green, Blue, White): 4 Designs: Lines (3), Dots (3), combined (3)

Total supported clear chocolate variations: 5x4x3x3x3 = 540 unique combinations

THE CAUSES OF INEFFECTIVE I.A.Ignorance

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Ignorance…is bliss, until you pick a chocolate you don’t like.

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Ignoranceig·no·rance noun \ˈig-n(ə-)rən(t)s\ Definition: a lack of knowledge, understanding, or education : the state of being ignorantAntonyms: acquaintance, awareness, cognizance, familiarity

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IgnoranceThe cause:

Lack of structure Not enough information

The fix: Classification (build structured metadata)

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Ignorance Fix: classificationClassification (build structured metadata)

ISO 15489 defines classification as: “the systematic identification and arrangement of business activities, and/or records into categories, according to logically structured conventions, methods, and procedural rules represented in a classification system.”

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Ignorance Fix: classificationClassification (build structured metadata)

Taxonomies and Classification “Taxonomy is a structured set of metadata…” Classification is “…logically structured conventions,

methods, and procedural rules…” Therefore, taxonomies are our structure to allow for

classification.

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Classification - taxonomyMetadata, content types and vocabularies:

Our tools to build a taxonomy Let’s build a taxonomy for chocolates

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Classification - metadata Definition: data that provides information about

other data A circular reference; we’re really talking about attributes

Chocolate metadata Chocolate type (white, milk, dark) Fill type Color Shape Surface pattern Box location

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Classification - Content types Used to group metadata of common groups

Chocolates Candies Candied apples Ice creams

Common parent types, unique sub content types Candied apples:

Caramel apple Candy apple Chocolate apple

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Classification - Content types Child content types inherit metadata field from

parent Then, add their own unique metadata below

Chocolates have: Caramel chocolates have:

• Chocolate type • Chocolate type

• Fill type • Fill type

• Color • Color

• Shape • Shape

• Surface Pattern • Surface pattern

• Box location • Box location

• Caramel type

• Salted

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Classification - vocabularies A set of predefined terms used for the population of

metadata Example: ‘Province’ as a metadata field

Simplified Interface: a drop down or radio buttons are easier than a free text field

Consistency: variation in what is entered (AB, Alta, Alberta all mean the same)

Central Control: provides a single centralized location for updates and maintenance

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Classification - vocabulariesMetadata vocabularies for chocolates:

Chocolate type Dark, milk, or white

Fill type Caramel, ganache, cream, nougat, etc.

Color Shape Surface pattern Box location

Summary

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Summary We’ve examined why I.A. is important The causes of ineffective I.A.

Ambiguity Variation Ignorance

And how to combat them Sorting Filtering Structure Clarity Classification

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SummaryAnd we’ve developed a sweet tooth…

Questions & Answers

MOSSAdventures

http://moss-adventures.blogspot.ca

@DavidRMcMillanand

@DevFactoPortals

https://www.facebook.com/moss.adventures

ca.linkedin.com/pub /david-mcmillan /2/232/426/en

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

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Sponsors

CalSPUG Special Thanks:

SharePoint Evolution Presents

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Housekeeping

Join us for SharePint, Networking and Expo Time: 3:05pm - 6:00pm Complimentary appetizers and cash bar