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Phase 2: Analyze

Why analysis?

Successful websites and, even more so, Intranet sites, depend on effective categorization of information. Because our understanding of the world is largely determined by our ability to organize information, we must take special care to build categories that make sense to users. Our analysis is focused on identifying the tasks that people complete during the course of their business.

We agree with communications professionals JoAnn Hackos and Ginny Redish who write, "The heart of the problem is a lack of firsthand, carefully considered understanding of the users, their tasks, and their environments."

What do we analyze?

Analysis varies according to each project. Typical strategies for gathering information to incorporate into a website are to:

• Analyze the functions of user groups.
• Inventory existing information sources.
• Observe, listen to, and talk to users as they work.
• Examine how users envision their tasks and if they see any "coherent wholes"— information that seems to naturally fit together.
• Look for purpose in each task.
• Look for sequences.

How Info.Design analysis skills benefit you

Much of the content for your website, Intranet, or CD-ROM already exists in other documents, sites, or databases. Unless you follow a clear process to determine the context in which you will place your content, you can end up with a document that fails to meet its purpose.

We can help you:

• Develop specific user-centered criteria for evaluating content.
• Create processes that help you manage content effectively, regardless of number of content providers or content format.
• Understand and apply the differences in goals and tasks.
• Build matrices for comparing audiences with their tasks.
• Develop content inventory and responsibility checklists.
• Plan how your colleagues and users can suggest new content for your site.

Action

For more information on how Info.Design helps you analyze information, direct a question to thom@thomhaller.com.