Big Questions for Information Architects

   Key questions for Info Architect  

• What tasks is the user coming to the site to do?

• Opportunistic user

• MP3 -- Show me what's new in the genre I like

• What's hot?

• I like Hendrix, give me new music like that

• Looking for specific information or stuff

• I want 3 versions of Crosstown Traffic

• How different are the tasks different users come with?

• everyone wants MP3's regardless of what type of music they like -- different users same task

• I want to shop for the cheapest MP3's as well as find the weirdest renditions

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• How many orthogonal navigation systems should be used?

• Topic or subject based

• User based

• Task Based   

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• How complex can the navigation be?

• How big is the site?

• How diverse is the content?

• How expert are the users? Disneyland.com

• How many tiers of navigation should I make?
   

• Would a metaphor be helpful?

• If selling groceries should I use a supermarket metaphor with graphical aisles etc

• If selling books should I use a physical library metaphor?

• Can wizards or agents simplify the job?
   

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