How do you explain your information architecture?

1 Know your audience

The first step to explaining your IA is to know who you are talking to and what they need to know. Are you presenting your IA to a client, a stakeholder, a developer, or a user? Each audience may have different expectations, questions, and concerns about your IA. For example, a client may want to know how your IA supports their business goals and user needs, while a developer may want to know how your IA translates into technical specifications and requirements. Therefore, you should tailor your explanation to suit your audience and their level of familiarity with IA.

2 Use simple language

The second step to explaining your IA is to use simple and clear language that avoids jargon and technical terms. Unless you are talking to an expert in IA, you should avoid using acronyms like IA, UX, UI, or SEO, and instead use plain words like organization, design, interface, or search. You should also define any terms that may be ambiguous or unfamiliar to your audience, such as taxonomy, navigation, metadata, or wireframe. The goal is to make your IA easy to understand and relate to, not to impress or confuse your audience with complex terminology.

3 Show examples and visuals

The third step to explaining your IA is to show examples and visuals that illustrate your IA in action. Rather than just telling your audience what your IA is, you should show them how it works and why it matters. You can use diagrams, sketches, screenshots, prototypes, or mockups to demonstrate your IA structure, labels, categories, relationships, and flows. You can also use real-world examples or analogies to compare your IA to something that your audience is familiar with, such as a library, a supermarket, or a map. By showing examples and visuals, you can make your IA more concrete and tangible for your audience.

4 Highlight the benefits and value

The fourth step to explaining your IA is to highlight the benefits and value that your IA provides for your audience and their users. You should explain how your IA solves a problem, meets a need, or improves an experience for the end users of your website, app, or product. You should also explain how your IA aligns with the goals, objectives, and vision of your audience and their organization. You can use data, feedback, testimonials, or case studies to support your claims and show the impact and outcomes of your IA. By highlighting the benefits and value, you can persuade your audience to appreciate and support your IA.

5 Invite feedback and questions

The fifth step to explaining your IA is to invite feedback and questions from your audience. You should encourage your audience to share their opinions, suggestions, doubts, or concerns about your IA. You should also be prepared to answer their questions and address their issues in a respectful and constructive way. You should listen to their feedback and questions attentively and use them as an opportunity to clarify, improve, or validate your IA. By inviting feedback and questions, you can engage your audience and foster a dialogue and collaboration around your IA.

6 Summarize and follow up

The sixth and final step to explaining your IA is to summarize and follow up with your audience. You should recap the main points and takeaways of your explanation and thank your audience for their attention and participation. You should also provide them with any relevant resources, documents, or links that they can refer to for more information or details about your IA. You should also follow up with them after your explanation and ask them if they have any further feedback, questions, or needs regarding your IA. By summarizing and following up, you can reinforce your message and maintain a positive and professional relationship with your audience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?