Published articles
-
Four modes of seeking information and how to design for them
This article examines four types of information-seeking behaviour, describes them and offers tips on how to design for them:
- known item
- exploratory
- don’t-know-what-you-need-to-know
- refinding
Read Four modes of seeking information and how to design for them
-
Usability for rich internet applications
Originally published by Digital Web Magazine: Usability for rich internet applications
After struggling for years to design Internet applications around the limitations of HTML, I have been very excited by the recent release of a range of Internet applications with increased richness and interactivity.
Rich Internet applications (RIAs) can provide opportunities to design much better user […] -
Why are intranets structured like the organisation chart?
Many intranets are structured around the organisational chart. It is well known that this method of grouping content is difficult for staff – they can’t find information if they don’t know who is responsible for it. However, it often seems too difficult to move from an organisational- based structure to a more intuitive topical structure.
Before moving to a better structure it is necessary to identify why the intranet is currently designed around the organisational chart, and address these issues first.
Read Why are intranets structured like the organisation chart?
-
10 ways to continually improve your intranet
This article outlines 10 practical ways that an intranet can be improved incrementally without yet another redesign. Although some of the methods may require mini-projects to be set up within the intranet team, many of the methods can be applied alongside the team’s usual maintenance activities.
-
What is usability?
This article provides an overview of what usability is (and what it is not). It provides ideas on how to include more usability activities in projects and the types of activities that are needed in order to create more usable systems.
-
Using a “strawman” for page layout design
Designing the page layouts for a new or redesigned intranet can be complex. One of the most difficult aspects is creating the first layout. Starting with an empty screen, you need to determine what will go on each page and where it will go.
Using a strawman design - a design that is created with the […] -
User-centred redesign of the FaCS intranet
This article documents the usability and information architecture activities conducted as part of the intranet redesign for the Family and Community Services intranet.
Published by Step Two Designs: User-centred redesign of the FaCS intranet -
Card sorting - A definitive guide
Card sorting is a technique that many information architects (and related professionals.) use as an input to the structure of a site or product.
This article provides a detailed description of the basic technique, with some focus on using the technique for more complex sites. This article does not cover some issues such as the use […] -
Five ways to identify intranet usability issues
This article provides five techniques to identify likely usability problems in your intranet. Some techniques provide indications about where the main problems lie, others provide concrete evidence. Each technique can be used alone, or in combination to give you a rich picture of usability issues.
Published by Step Two Designs: Five ways to identify intranet usability […] -
Escaping the organisation chart on your intranet
This article outlines practical ways to move from an intranet based on the organisation chart to one that is more intuitive and allows people to complete their tasks more easily. It does not describe a full intranet redesign process, but focuses on those issues that are most likely to occur if you wish to break […]