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The Practice of Information Architecture It takes a village of practitioners to raise a discipline Nathaniel Davis www.methodbrain.com/dsia. IA Summit - 2010. Version 1.1. About Me: - Web Development since 1994 - Information architecture since 2000 - Exploring IA theory and practice since 2007.
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The Practice of Information ArchitectureIt takes a village of practitioners to raise a disciplineNathaniel Daviswww.methodbrain.com/dsia IA Summit - 2010 Version 1.1
About Me:- Web Development since 1994- Information architecture since 2000- Exploring IA theory and practice since 2007
of practitioners “It takes a village to raise a child discipline.”- Me
Discipline System
Discipline Contribute Contribute
Contribute Discipline Area of Interest Area of Interest
Area of Interest Contributes Discipline Intention Intention
How does the field of IA measure up? Intention Area of Interest Contribute Discipline
Who are we? Loners Gypsies Bohemian Intention Area of Interest Contribute Discipline
Our intentions are loosely tied Intention Area of Interest Contribute Discipline
IA field lacks collective intention: • Individual • IA Organization • IA Field Intention Area of Interest Contribute Discipline Consensus
Change the culture of just “doing” IA • Practice IA efficiently • Understand business Intention Area of Interest Contribute Consensus Discipline
How? Intention Area of Interest Contribute Consensus Discipline
Organize your practice. Eureka! Intention Area of Interest Contribute Consensus Discipline
Concept of Practice The collective behavior of intentional empirical probing around an area ofinterest; whereby the contribution of documentation of discovery enables consensus that builds and reinforces discipline around such behaviors. - Intention - Area of interest - Contribute - Consensus - Discipline Practice
Concept of Practice The collective behavior of intentional empirical probing around an area ofinterest; whereby the contribution of documentation of discovery enables consensus that builds and reinforces discipline around such behaviors. Practice - Intention - Area of interest - Contribute - Consensus - Discipline - Intention
Concept of Practice The collective behavior of intentional empirical probing around an area ofinterest; whereby the contribution of documentation of discovery enables consensus that builds and reinforces discipline around such behaviors. Practice - Intention - Area of interest - Contribute - Consensus - Discipline - Area of Interest
Concept of Practice The collective behavior of intentional empirical probing around an area ofinterest; whereby the contribution of documentation of discovery enables consensus that builds and reinforces discipline around such behaviors. Practice - Intention - Area of interest - Contribute - Consensus - Discipline - Contribute
Concept of Practice The collective behavior of intentional empirical probing around an area ofinterest; whereby the contribution of documentation of discovery enables consensus that builds and reinforces discipline around such behaviors. Practice - Intention - Area of interest - Contribute Documentation - Consensus - Discipline - Document
Concept of Practice The collective behavior of intentional empirical probing around an area ofinterest; whereby the contribution of documentation of discovery enables consensus that builds and reinforces discipline around such behaviors. Practice - Intention - Area of interest Contribute Document - Consensus - Discipline - Consensus
Concept of Practice The collective behavior of intentional empirical probing around an area ofinterest; whereby the contribution of documentation of discovery enables consensus that builds and reinforces discipline around such behaviors. Practice - Intention - Area of interest - Contribute - Document - Consensus - Discipline - Discipline
To practice is just the beginning Practice ------------------
Information architects need to become business savvy • To flourish in the business organization Practice ------------------
Organization Role Segmentation (ORS) Offers an IA-based perspective of a business model Practice ------------------ Business Model
Organization Role Segmentation (ORS) • Recognizes information architecture as a unique functional area of interest to the business organization • Argues unexplored depth of IA as a sub-organization Practice ----------------------Business Model
Business Function Classification • Discovery • Planning • Production • Infrastructure • Communication • Exchange Practice ----------------------Business Model - Functions
The Business Model Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions
[IA] Business Functions Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions Discovery Discovery - Discovery Subject matter expertise, industry insight, continuing education, accountability analytics, etc.
[IA] Business Functions Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions - Discovery Planning Discovery Planning - Planning Interpretation of discovery; high-level processes and overall vision[as an individual or organization]
[IA] Business Functions Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions - Discovery - Planning Discovery Planning Production - Production The actual tasks and processes that produce the IA deliverables, e.g. classifications/taxonomy, relational maps, etc.
[IA] Business Functions Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions - Discovery - Planning - Production Discovery Planning Production Infrastructure - Infrastructure Tools, methods, applications that support the actions around production and other tactical areas
[IA] Business Functions Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions - Discovery - Planning Production Infrastructure Discovery Planning Production Infrastructure Communications - Communications The concise expression of features, benefits, purpose, value, etc. -- to the intended audience
[IA] Business Functions Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions - Discovery - Planning Production Infrastructure Communication Discovery Planning Production Infrastructure Communications Exchange - Exchange Actions around transacting IA (e.g. sales, estimation, compensation, sharing, etc.)
The theoretical importance of Roles Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions Practice
The theoretical importance of Roles Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions - Functions
Since functions are not autonomous, Roles are used to objectify functions Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions Roles
Role Segmentation Expresses the functional span (F-Span) of an agent (e.g employee) within an organization Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions Roles
Role Segmentation • Strategic • Management • Research • Multi-functional • Cross-functional • Specialized Practice ----------------------Business Model Functions Roles
F-Span : Strategic Strategic [image of span] Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles - Strategic Work Product applies to all possible functional domains with indirect influence
F-Span : Management Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles - Strategic Management - Management Work Product is applied to all possible functional domains with direct influence
F-Span : Research Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles - Strategic - Management Research - Research Artifacts are predominantly external to the immediate function or organization.
F-Span : Multi-functional Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles - Strategic - Management - Research - Multi-functional The assumption of multiple tasks exclusively within a single functional domain.
F-Span : Specialized Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles - Strategic - Management - Research - Multi-functional - Specialized - Specialized The assumption of a single task exclusive to a single functional domain (e.g. thesaurus design)
F-Span : Cross-functional Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles - Strategic - Management - Research - Multi-functional - Specialized ---------------------- The assumption of multiple tasks across multiple functional domains (e.g. BA, UE, IA and IxD) - Cross-functional
Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles Primary Roles Research Strategy Management Tactical Roles Multi-functional Cross-functional Specialized Minimum role activity: Primary Roles and at least one tactical role
Applying what we’ve learned Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles
Evaluate your Practice • How are you and your IA organization engaged in the “practice” of IA? • Do you or your organization have the functionalcomponents to operate efficiently as a business organization? • What rolesare at work; what roles do you need? Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles Practice
Evaluate your Practice • How are you and your IA organization engaged in the “practice” of IA? • Do you or your organization have the functional components to operate efficiently as a business organization? • What roles are at work; what roles do you need? Practice ---------------------- Business Model Functions Roles Functions