Information Architecture by Cognitive Design Solutions

The Problems to be Solved

Information architecture must deal with at least three key realities:

The glut of information — A research study in 1999 showed that 50 percent of the managers interviewed felt they are unable to handle the vast amount of information they receive. 65 percent reported diminished job satisfaction because of the stress that comes with information overload. We are inundated with information — much of which is useless or irrelevant, and creates a fog-like barrier that obscures the specific information we are seeking. Our own communication flow must take place within this context.

The “information overload” effect occurs on at least three levels:

First it is a logistical usability problem (building a IT system architecture that works from a user-interface/ usability point of view).
Secondly, it is a communication problem (managing “cognitive load” in communication).
Finally and perhaps most importantly, it is an emotional problem involving stress, distractibility, and loss of meaning (directly disrupting an individual’s perception and motivation during work tasks). See Richard Saul Wurman, InformationAnxiety2 (2nd ed, 2001) pp. 4-12.

A concrete example that illustrates this overload in business communication is the important and demanding role of daily e-mail — including the fact that uncontrolled “spam” can make the email ‘in box’ painfully dysfunctional.

Increasing demand for mission-critical information — We are constantly asked to create information and make it understandable. How can we best structure our ideas, and the ideas of others, so they make sense? How can we ensure our audience understands what we are saying? How can we create systems that make it easier to publish the needed information?

Maintenance — Researchers estimate that for most Web sites, 80% of the cost goes toward maintenance. Changes to poorly architected sites take a long time to implement.