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We know that information
architecture =
improved performance

Users look for structure. That's what the research tells us. People approach information with a purpose in mind, with a task they need to accomplish. Our philosophy of information architecture is grounded in the science of human performance improvement.

Some historical background

The field of performance improvement is founded on the idea that people approach tasks with an "outcome of behavior" in mind.

"Performance is accomplishment," wrote Thomas Gilbert, the founder of the field of Human Performance Technology. Gilbert, an engineer and former student of behavior modification specialist B.F.Skinner, explored systematic methods of creating and delivering instruction. He laid the foundations for instructional systems design models and the field of human performance technology. Info.Design relies on Gilbert's work for our foundation for information architecture.

Why performance matters

Let's consider websites. Users seldom step into Web space without a purpose in mind. All Web navigation, even browsing, can be purposeful.

Let's consider Intranet sites. Why do organizations create them? Because people have jobs to do. All communication products, such as reports, manuals, job aids, and e-mails, are performance tools. As information architects, we look at the entire organization and how people use information in the organization. All organization functions, including employee tasks, training, feedback systems, and incentives, can be based on specific performance goals people want to meet.

By thinking with a performance-based approach, we can engage in a dialog with the users of information and with the organizations that strive to meet communication needs. By thinking about and responding to performance needs, we can increase organizational productivity and user satisfaction.

It works.