Here's how you can shape information architecture practices with stakeholder feedback.

1 Gather Input

To shape information architecture effectively, start by gathering input from a diverse group of stakeholders. These can include end-users, business executives, content creators, and IT professionals. Use various methods such as interviews, surveys, and workshops to collect their perspectives on what works well and what needs improvement. This feedback provides a wealth of insights into the user experience and can highlight areas where the current IA may be falling short. By considering these diverse viewpoints, you can create an IA that meets a wide range of needs and expectations.

3 Prioritize Changes

After analyzing stakeholder feedback, it's time to prioritize changes to the information architecture. Not all feedback will be equally important or feasible to implement, so you need to determine which suggestions will have the most significant impact on user experience. Consider factors such as the frequency of feedback on certain issues, the severity of usability problems, and alignment with business objectives. By prioritizing changes based on these criteria, you can ensure that your efforts are focused on making meaningful improvements to the IA.

5 Test Usability

Usability testing is a vital step in validating the changes made to your information architecture. Create prototypes or use existing platforms to test how real users interact with the revised IA. Observe their behavior, ask for their thoughts, and note any difficulties they encounter. This direct user feedback is invaluable in confirming whether the updates have successfully addressed previous issues and improved the overall user experience. Be prepared to make further adjustments based on these findings to fine-tune the IA.

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?