Envision < Process < Info.Design











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Phase 1: Envision

As information architects, we follow a systematic process for envisioning our reader's world more vividly and then structuring and testing information based on our understanding of user needs.

For our process to work, we take time to understand who the site's users are, their tasks (what they hope to DO on the website) and their environments (the context in which they will be working with the website).

As consultants, instructors, or developers, we are prepared to help you envision your site. To accomplish this goal, we'll help you build a Scope Definition Document, a comprehensive high-level document that:

Communicates your big vision.
Identifies possibilities.
Manages expectations.
Serves as the basis for evaluating progress as you work on the project.

Background

As professional communicators applying the ISD model to a variety of communication products, we were surprised initially at the amount of analysis it takes to build a website. But when we looked at the analysis, we realized that some of it was directed toward learning more about the users, and other analysis was aimed at identifying the mission and vision for the site. We refer to this analysis of the mission as "envisioning" the site. And the tool we recommend is our Scope Definition Document.

Results

The Scope Definition Document will improve the organization of your website because it offers you an opportunity to:

Identify a site's mission.
Identify users, their goals and their tasks.
Envision the site meeting user needs.
Manage analysis results.

Our clients tell the story: "I think on a daily basis I will try to be much more task-oriented as I look at or try to envision websites... I now have better language, background, and understanding of the various complexities of information architecture."

Action

For more information on how Info.Design helps you envision your site architecture, direct a question to thom@thomhaller.com.