Tree Testing: A quick way to evaluate your IA

“A big part of information architecture is organisation – creating the structure of a site. For most sites – particularly large ones – this means creating a hierarchical ‘tree’ of topics. But to date, the IA community hasn’t found an effective, simple technique (or tool) to test site structures. The most common method used—closed card sorting—is neither widespread nor particularly suited to this task. Some years ago, Donna Spencer pioneered a simple paper-based technique to test trees of topics. Recent refinements to that method, some made possible by online experimentation, have now made ‘tree testing’ more effective and agile.” (Dave O’BrienBoxes and Arrows)

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