Fast, cheap and data-driven

Transcription

1 User-centered Information Architecture Fast, cheap and data-driven Suzanne Boyd, Anthro-Tech, Inc. Emma Rose, Anthro-Tech, Inc.

2 Designing a usable information architecture can be challenging Context Content Users From Information Architecture for the World Wide Web by Peter Morville and Lou Rosenfeld

3 User-centered Information Architecture: Fast, cheap and data-driven Discovering users mental models Creating an interactive prototype Phone usability testing

4 Example: WA Department of Licensing BEFORE

5 Step 1: Discovering users mental models

6 Discovering users mental models Why? Users mental models dictate how they look for information How they see the world: includes language, previous experience, expectations When the information architecture reflects users mental models, they can find what they need Why now? Get a rich understanding of how users perceive the information Base design decisions on user data Reduce risk before starting the design

7 Combo card sort study Content ranking... to find out what users care about most Card sort... to see how users group content Focus group...to understand why users organized it that way and what doesn t fit

8 Content ranking

9 Card sort and focus group Personal licensing Drivers license Vehicle registration Buying & selling a vehicle Business licensing Running a business Renew your driver's license online First driver license for teens Cost of a barber's license Correct your zip code on your Honda's registration? Get an ID card Get a business license online? See how I m protected as a consumer Replace lost license plates Close your business Renew tabs on your pick-up Practice the written drivers test

10 Analyze your data Content ranking: descriptive stats Card sort: cluster analysis Category labels: thematize Focus group: code and summarize Themes: Some users want personalized notifications: I d like to get an that says: Your tabs are up for renewal next month Some users were confused about disabled parking permits I wasn t sure if disabled parking should go with driver's license or if it goes with the car they are driving.

11 Example: WA Department of Licensing Turning research into design Mental models Strong Weak Groupings of topics (vehicles, licensing) Task based (renew, replace, update) Life events (move, start a business, first licenses) Breadth of services ID cards Disabled parking permits Navigation Global (categories) Driver Licensing Vehicle registration Business licenses Local (subcategories) Getting a license Renewals and updates Lost or stolen Supplemental By life goal (moving) By likely next (see also)

12 Step 2: Creating an interactive prototype

13 Why prototype the information architecture? Explore ideas... before navigation, information and interaction design Stakeholder review so you can understand concerns early Evaluate with users to find usability problems before you move to screen design

14 Common ways of presenting information architecture are limited

15 Different audiences have different needs Needs: Design team Big picture & detail Ability to collaborate Avoid rework (easy to change) Stakeholders Big picture & detail See something tangible Users A realistic representation of the information space during usability testing

16 Can we have it all?

17 Develop Visualize Test Manage Microsoft Word Mind Manager HTML Prototype Microsoft Excel

18 Example: WA Department of Licensing Demonstration Microsoft Word Mind Manager HTML Prototype

19 Step 3: Phone usability testing

20 Evaluating the information architecture Why? Assess the decisions made during design Identify usability problems Resolve internal concerns Gather data about users terminology Phone studies are a cheap and easy way to do it Why now? Assess site s structure independent of

21 A quick demo

22 Data from phone study Auto totals help you quickly identify problems

23 Phone usability testing Pros Logistically simple Low cost Geo-diversity of participants Users in natural setting Cons Technology limitations Requirements leave some people out Naturalistic environment can result in interruptions Natural think aloud Quick data analysis and streamlined reporting

24 Example: WA Department of Licensing

25 Example: WA Department of Licensing Iterate IA Before After

26 Example: WA Department of Licensing

27 Example: WA Department of Licensing

28 Example: WA Department of Licensing

29 Example: WA Department of Licensing

30 User-centered Information Architecture: Fast, cheap and data-driven Uncovering users mental models Creating an interactive prototype Phone usability testing

31 Questions and Answers Thanks for your time! We d also like to thank: Suzanne Boyd suzanneboyd@anthro-tech.com Emma J. Rose emmarose@anthro-tech.com Washington State Department of Licensing All our research participants Anita Salem for her contributions on an earlier version of this talk