[Editor’s Note: Last issue [www.infotoday.com/IP/jul00/breeding.htm] Andy shared the definitions of information architecture (IA) put forth by speakers at the ASIS Summit. This issue he conveys the roles and realities of IA discussed at the conference.]

One way of viewing IA is to look at the outputs. Stephen Ritchey, senior information architect with USWeb/CKS [www.usweb.com], described the outputs of an in-progress redesign of the USA Today Web site. These include the site hierarchies and categorization scheme, a visual site model showing the structure of the site, a usability report, and the page templates. Another important output of his project was client education—getting the client to think like an IA. This was a recurring theme. More than one presenter referred to themselves as an “information therapist” whose job is to help their clients think about their information problems in constructive ways. Merholtz from Epinions.com referred to information architects as “empathetic geeks.” 
 

What does it take to be an IA?
According to Roy Tennant, Digital Library project manager for The Library at University of California Berkeley [http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/], the following skills and knowledge are critical for those in IA:

• Analytical and critical-thinking skills
• Project management skills
• Communication skills
• A high-level knowledge of existing and near-term technologies
• Skill at enabling and fostering change combined with the following personality traits:
• An ability to learn constantly and quickly
• Flexibility
• A propensity to take risks
• An abiding public service (user experience) perspective 
• An appreciation of what others have to offer and the ability to work cooperatively¹

What about the tools of the IA?
Perhaps the most frequently discussed IA activity at this conference was that of diagramming sites and information flows. White boards are considered essential—as are any electronic tool that can help capture and communicate this sort of information. In e-mail discussions that have followed the meeting, the software package Visio [www. microsoft.com/office/visio/] has been mentioned frequently, and an electronic whiteboard called Mimio [www.mimio.com/ns.shtml] also seems to be popular. Card sorting software used in user-centered categorization exercises is another hot topic in these circles.

So is information architecture for real? As of this writing, there are 222 job postings for IAs on the Monster.com Web site. Of the people registered for the conference, over 50 listed their job title as “Information Architect.” This did not include the person who listed her job title as “Goddess of Information Architecture.” Most came from Web design and consulting firms. A substantial fraction of the attendees raised their hands when asked if they were looking to hire people. As yet, information architecture does not have the trappings of a true profession. It does not have a shared literature or any dedicated degree programs—but this might change.  ASIS, the American Society for Information Science, is setting up a special interest group on information architecture (SIGIA). At least one attendee suggested that ASIS change its name to align itself more closely with information architecture. Either way, a dialogue has begun. 

A SIGIA discussion list has been setup and is open to non-ASIS members [www.asis.org/onferences/Summit2000/Information_Architecture/listserv.html]. There is already a proposal to publish a book of learnings and insights that are springing from this discussion. The next few years should be very interesting indeed. 
 

Resources

Information Architecture Glossary (courtesy of Argus Associates)
http://www.asis.org/Conferences/Summit2000/morville/IA_Glossary.doc (MS-Word)

“Defining Information Architecture”—Posted Presentations
http://www.asis.org/Conferences/Summit2000/Information_Architecture/presentations.html

SIGIA Listserv (open to all)
http://www.asis.org/Conferences/Summit2000/Information_Architecture/listserv.html

Information Architecture Resources 
http://www.jjg.net/ia/
An excellent collection of IA resources put together by Jesse Garrett. 
 

1. Tennant, Roy. “A Librarian’s Perspective on Information Architecture” presented at ASIS Summit 2000, April 2000 [http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/~manager/Presentations/ASIS/Boston/ppframe.htm].
 
 

Andy is in Information & Research Services at Compaq Computer Corporation in Littleton, MA 01460, and can be reached at andy.breeding@compaq.com or Phone: 978-506-6873/Fax: 978-506-6891.
 

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