Victorian Government CIO Council

Victorian Government
Website Management Framework

Information architecture (structure, classification & navigation)

Standard

Provides for a consistent and efficient user experience through a uniform approach to the design, presentation and operational management of Victorian Government websites.

Keywords: / Information Architecture, Classification, Navigation, Discovery, Usability, User experience
Identifier:
WEB/STD/08 / Version no.:
2.1 / Status:
Final
Issue date:
01 February 2006 / Date of effect:
03 December 2010 / Next review date:
December 2014
Authority:
Victorian Government CIO Council / Issuing authority:
Victorian Government Chief Technology Advocate

Exemptions – Any exemptions to this standard must be reported to departmental / agency governance bodies.

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Victorian Government CIO Council

Requirements

  1. Departments/agencies must develop and maintain:[1]

·  a documented information architecture (IA) strategy which describes, justifies and provides a strategic direction for the IA of their portfolio of websites; and/or

·  documented IA plans for each individual website within their portfolio.

  1. IA plans must, at a minimum, address and document all of the following IA components[2]:

·  business needs analysis;

·  user research and analysis;

·  content inventory;

·  controlled vocabularies and metadata;

·  website navigation and hierarchy;

·  website layout;

·  search model and behaviour;

·  usability testing;

·  monitoring and maintenance;

·  change management; and

·  ongoing review.

  1. All IA strategies and plans must be reviewed annually to ensure they remain current and relevant to users.
  2. All new and refreshed IA strategies and plans must be endorsed by the department’s/agency’s Website Management Taskforce (WMT).

Overview

Information architecture is the:

·  design, organisation and layout of a website’s user interface structure;

·  organising of a website's structure and content through the labelling and categorisation of information;

·  design of navigation and search systems; and

·  identification and use of language and vocabulary schemas.

Information architecture addresses the needs of both the business and its users and ensures responsiveness and efficiency. Information architecture strategies and plans facilitate these objectives and aid in the proactive, ongoing review of websites throughout their respective life cycles.

Rationale

·  To enable users to simply find information and services and complete tasks.

·  To support and communicate the business objectives of the Government.

·  To provide citizens with a consistent, predictable and satisfying experience when interacting with government websites.

Derivation

None

Scope

·  All departments, the four inner budget agencies (Environment Protection Authority, State Revenue Office, VicRoads and Victoria Police) and CenITex.

·  All internet sites including channels, portals and subdomains.

Compliance

Timing: From the date of effect on the front of the document.

Reporting: Annual reporting using the WMF template.

Guidelines, toolkits and references

Victorian Government standards:

·  http://www.digital.vic.gov.au/policies-standards-guidelines/website-management-framework/

·  Guideline: Developing and Managing an Information Architecture (WEB/GUIDE/03)

·  Template: Information Architecture Plan (WEB/TEMP/02)

Further information

For further information regarding this standard, please contact the Department of State Development and Business Innovation, at

Glossary

Term / Meaning /
Content inventory / A content inventory is the process and result of cataloguing the contents of a website[3].
Controlled vocabularies / Controlled vocabularies are lists of standardised and approved terms that can be used to assist in categorising information, classifying content, developing navigational elements, indexing and the retrieval of information.
Information architecture plan / A document that addresses the information architecture components of a specific website.
Information architecture strategy / A process and resulting document that addresses information architecture components and principles from an organisational perspective.
Metadata / Data which describes the content or information displayed on a website page.

Version history

Version / Date / TRIM Ref / Details
1.0 / 1 February 2006 / First published.
2.0 / 1 December 2010 / D09/106446
2.1 / February 2014 / Updated branding

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

WEB STD 08 Information architecture / page 4

[1] Website Management Taskforces (WMTs) should determine whether to develop an organisational IA strategy, individual IA plans or both.

[2] IA plans can be documented using the WMF template (WEB/TEMP/02) or a suitable alternative.

[3] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_inventory