This presentation discusses the parallels between information architecture and archaeology. It describes how an information architecture audit of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website was conducted similarly to an archaeological site survey. Key activities in the audit like stakeholder interviews, content analysis, and identifying areas for improvement mirrored archaeological fieldwork techniques. The resulting information architecture report documented findings and recommendations, just as an archaeological site report would. The presentation emphasizes treating information architecture projects with the same meticulous research approach as archaeological investigations.

1. Archaeology &
Information Architecture
The Adventures of Information Jones
Presented by Margaret Alldredge, UX Analyst
Special recognition to Andrew Schall and Caroline Little

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE
PRESENTATION
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 2

3. Margaret Alldredge
@arrteragram
Current UX Analyst
Recovering Archeologist
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 3

4. Archaeology Overview
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 4
Somewhere in Ohio

5. Define “Site”
Information Architecture
Archaeology
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 5
Print House Site HSMC

6. The Federal Communications Commission
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 6

7. The Federal Communications Commission
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 7

8. FCC Redesign Goals
Combine multiple URLs
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 8
FCC
Etc…
Wireless
Reboot

9. FCC Redesign Goals
Shut down Transition site
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 9
transition.fcc.gov

10. FCC Redesign Goals
Improve Unstructured IA Elements
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 10
Home
The FCC
Our Work
Tools & Data
Business &
Licensing
Bureaus &
Offices
Transition

11. FCC Redesign Goals
Create unified content process
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 11
…or at least the proper place within the site’s informational structure

12. The Parallel Processes//Table of Contents
Information Architecture/
1. Stakeholder Interviews
2. Content audit
3. Areas of interest
4. Unorganized content
5. Untagged pages
6. IA Report
/Archaeology
Historical Research
Shovel test pit survey
Features
Disturbed soil
Unprovenienced artifacts
Site Report
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 12

13. STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS//
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 13

14. Stakeholder Interviews//Historical Research
Stakeholder interviews and
Document review
Historical Research and
Document review
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 14
Maryland State Archives

15. Stakeholder Interviews//Historical Research
FCC Redesign
• Stakeholder Interviews
– Multiple groups of stakeholders
– Grouped by common interests
• Bureau and Office
• Industry background
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 15

16. Stakeholder Interviews//Historical Research
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 16

17. Stakeholder Interviews//Historical Research
FCC Redesign
• Materials Review
– Previous transition project documents
• Excel documents with data on site transition
– List of all sites
• Excel document with Site name, URL, and if they
planned to transfer the site data to the new
version
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 17

18. Stakeholder Interviews//Historical Research
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 18

19. Stakeholder Interviews//Historical Research
FCC Redesign
• Plan creation
– Use data collected to determine how to move
forward
• What sites to look into first
• Know where we would need to pay more attention
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 19

20. Stakeholder Interviews//Historical Research
Takeaway
Be a historian
• Gather historical materials relevant to the
site
• Talk to the locals when you can
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 20

21. CONTENT AUDIT//
SHOVEL TEST PIT SURVEY
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 21

22. Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
Content Audit
Shovel Test Pit Survey
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 22
Field Survey

23. Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
FCC Redesign
• Used site list provided by FCC
– What sites were to be documented
– How in depth to document the microsites
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 23

24. Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 24
Key
Green
Good to go
White
Lower priority good to go
Orange
Needed more info
Red
Unavailable
Yellow
Redirected

25. Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
FCC Redesign
• Assembled a team of
people to work
together
– Divide and conquer
– Sites divvied up
amongst team
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 25

26. Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
FCC Redesign
• Used standardized headers for each
document
– Name
– Level
– Link
– Etc
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 26

27. DRUPAL BACK END WITH ANALYTICS
Bureaus
and
Offices
Page
Name
Drupal
Link
Link
Page Type
Author
Published
Date
Page
Views
Unique
Page
Views
Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 27
BASIC SITE
Home 0
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
URL
URL
Redirect

28. Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
FCC Redesign
• Highlighted areas to return to
– Concerning areas
• Highlighted
• Discussed
• Planned solutions
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 28

29. Content Audit//Shovel Test Pit Survey
Takeaway
Survey the area
• Have a standard method to your research,
this helps determine when you need to go
back and investigate an area further
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 29

30. AREAS OF INTEREST//
FEATURES
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 30

31. Areas of interest//Features
Areas of Interest
Features
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 31
Plank House Site, Marcus Hook PA

32. Areas of interest//Features
FCC Redesign
• Encyclopedia section
was identified as an
Area of interest
– Not all pages had a
clear home
• Orphan pages
• Inaccurate locations
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 32

33. Areas of interest//Features
FCC Redesign
• Data gathered from back end
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 33
Bureaus and
Offices
Page Name
Drupal
Link
Link
Page Type
Author
Published
Date
Consumer &
Governmental
Affairs
Advanced
Communications
Services (ACS)
#node-
38823
www.fcc.gov/
encyclopedia/
advanced-
communications-
services-acs
Encyclopedia Entry
Anonymous
published
4/10/12
11:28
Media
Advertising
#node-
61095
www.fcc.gov/
encyclopedia/
advertising
Encyclopedia Entry
Anonymous
published
1/17/14
16:55
Wireless
Alabama TRS
#node-
42201
www.fcc.gov/
encyclopedia/
alabama-trs
Encyclopedia Entry
Anonymous
published
9/12/12
15:01

34. Areas of interest//Features
FCC Redesign
• Supplemental data gathered for point of
comparison
– Google Analytics
• Unique views to determine if pages were being
visited or related terms were being searched
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 34

35. Areas of interest//Features
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 35

36. Areas of interest//Features
Takeaway
Dig deeper
• Determine where you need to focus in to
research and analyze more
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 36

37. UNORGANIZED CONTENT//
DISTURBED SOIL
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 37

38. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
Unorganized Content
Disturbed Soil
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 38
Gotts Parking Lot Annapolis MD

39. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
FCC Redesign
• Encyclopedia section used as a catchall
– Back end users
• Did not know where content fit
• Wanted customizable and unique elements
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 39

40. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
FCC Redesign
• Multiple content types represented
– FAQs
– Makeshift headline pages
– Every topic the FCC covers
– And much more
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 40

41. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 41

42. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 42

43. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 43

44. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 44

45. Unorganized content//Disturbed soil
FCC Redesign
• Need for an improved Informational
structure
– Users making homes for content
– Thought process needed for accommodating
future content
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 45

46. UNTAGGED PAGES//
UNPROVENIENCED ARTIFACTS
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 46

47. Untagged pages//Unprovenienced artifacts
Untagged Pages
Unprovenienced Artifacts
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 47
Artifacts from site in MD

48. Untagged pages//Unprovenienced artifacts
FCC Redesign
• Encyclopedia section was not tagged
– Taxonomy was unused
– “Related” content, was not always related
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 48

49. Untagged pages//Unprovenienced artifacts
FCC Redesign
• Encyclopedia contains information that is
useful yet useless
– Content was often helpful but the context
was not
– Unable to relocate materials consistently
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 49

50. Untagged pages//Unprovenienced artifacts
FCC Redesign
• Impact on content migration
– Quick automated process not an option
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 50

51. Untagged pages//Unprovenienced artifacts
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 51
Task
Completed?
Content inventory
Yes
Content prioritization
No, in progress
Finalize IA
No, in progress
Compare sitemaps, current to new
No
Assessment of content types
No, in progress
Define Templates
No, in progress
Finalize Taxonomy
No
Define Auto vs Manual page migration
No

52. Untagged pages//Unprovenienced artifacts
FCC Redesign
• Content needed to be analyzed and
categorized to fit in the new site structure
– Planning for content to have a home
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 52

53. Untagged pages//Unprovenienced artifacts
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 53

54. IA REPORT//
SITE REPORT
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 54

55. IA Report//Site Report
IA Report
Site Report
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 55

56. IA Report//Site Report
FCC Redesign
• Report
– Included findings and recommendations
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 56

57. IA Report//Site Report
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 57

58. IA Report//Site Report
FCC Redesign
• Documentation
– Content Audit
• Sites
• Microsites
– Drupal backend data
• All FCC
• Bureau and Office
– Google Analytics
• All FCC
• Bureau and Office
– Proposed Taxonomy List
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 58

59. IA Report//Site Report
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 59

60. IA Report//Site Report
Takeaway
Produce records
• Provide a framework to help future
researchers so when they come back for
the next round of improvements they
know what has been done before and why
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 60

61. BEFORE AND
AFTER
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 61

62. Before
Information Architecture
Archaeology
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 62
Print House Site HSMC

63. After
Information Architecture
Archaeology
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 63
Print House Site HSMC

64. Before
FCC Site
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 64

65. TAKEAWAYS
The Adventures of Information Jones and the…
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 65

66. Takeaways
Be a historian
– Gather historical materials relevant to the site
– Talk to the locals when you can
Survey the area
– Have a standard method to your research, this helps you determine
when you need to go back and investigate an area further
Dig deeper
– Determine where you need to analyze more
Pay close attention to Features
– Realize when your site has areas that need to be investigated with
more detail in order to be able to better understand the context
Produce records
– Provide a framework to help future researchers so when they come
back for the next round of improvements they know what has been
done before and why
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 66

67. The End… Any Questions?
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 67

68. Contact Information
Margaret Alldredge
• Email
– margaret@sparkexperience.com
• Twitter
– @arrteragram
#ias15 spkr8.com/t/53391
Archaeology & Information Architecture 68