Business communication desktop app — Information Architecture
Card sorting study for information architecture research and analysis.
To gain insights into user expectations regarding the information architecture of the application, a card sorting study was conducted. This study aimed to uncover how users categorize and organize information within the app’s structure.
Card Sorting Workshop
Closed Card Sorting via Unmoderated UserTesting Platform
In order to refine the information architecture of the application, a card sorting workshop was conducted using the closed card sorting methodology. This workshop aimed to determine the most appropriate grouping and categorization of content elements within the application.
During the workshop, a set of cards representing various content elements was provided to participants. These cards were pre-defined and encompassed different features, functions, or information items within the application. Participants were then asked to organize the cards into predefined categories that were provided.
By utilizing the closed card sorting method, the workshop facilitated a more structured approach to categorization. This approach ensured that participants worked within predetermined categories, allowing for a focused exploration of the most appropriate groupings for the content elements.
The outcome of the workshop was the creation of well-defined categories based on the collective input of the participants. These categories will serve as a foundation for developing a coherent and user-friendly information architecture within the application. The closed card sorting methodology provided valuable insights into how users perceive and group the content elements, helping to inform design decisions and enhance the overall user experience.
To gather insights into the organization and categorization preferences of users, a closed card sorting exercise was conducted using the unmoderated approach facilitated through the UserTesting platform. This method allowed participants to independently organize a set of individual cards into predetermined categories.
Participants were provided with a collection of cards representing various content elements or features within the application. Clear instructions were given, outlining the predetermined categories and asking participants to organize the cards accordingly. The closed card sorting method ensured that participants could only assign the cards to the predefined categories, encouraging a focused and consistent approach.
By leveraging the UserTesting platform, the closed card sorting activity was conducted remotely, enabling a wider pool of participants to engage in the exercise at their convenience. The unmoderated format allowed participants to freely express their preferences and organizational patterns without the presence of a facilitator, potentially reducing any biases that might arise from direct influence.
The outcomes of the closed card sorting exercise provided valuable insights into how users perceive the relationships and groupings of content elements within the application. Analyzing the collective organization patterns, common trends and patterns emerged, helping to inform the development of an intuitive and user-friendly information architecture.
Overall, the closed card sorting conducted via the Unmoderated UserTesting platform proved to be an efficient and scalable method for gathering valuable user input on the organization and categorization of content elements, contributing to the enhancement of the overall user experience.
Open Card Sorting to Measure User Mental Model for Information Architecture
In response to the challenges identified with the Phone category and the varying opinions on its naming, an open card sorting exercise was conducted to gain further insights into the user’s mental model for information architecture.
Using the UserTesting platform, the open card sorting activity was conducted in an unmoderated manner. Participants were provided with individual cards representing different content elements or features and were asked to create their own categories and organize the cards accordingly.
The primary objective of this exercise was to validate our assumptions regarding the placement of Contacts as a separate category instead of including it within the Calls category. By allowing participants to freely categorize the cards, we aimed to understand how they mentally grouped and organized the information.
The results of the open card sorting exercise confirmed our assumption that Contacts should be treated as a distinct category. The majority of participants created a separate category specifically for Contacts, supporting the notion that it should be considered independently from the Calls category.
This valuable feedback from the open card sorting exercise provides us with a clearer understanding of the user’s mental model and their expectations regarding the organization of information. It reinforces our decision to maintain Contacts as a separate category within the application’s information architecture.
The insights gained from the open card sorting exercise ware analyzed and incorporated into the ongoing design process. By aligning the information architecture with the user’s mental model, we can enhance the overall usability and user experience of the application.
Sitemap
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the application’s structure and hierarchy, a sitemap was created. The sitemap serves as a visual representation of the relationships between different categories and pages within the application.
By mapping out the sitemap, we aimed to identify the overall organization of content and navigation flow. This allowed us to determine the hierarchy of categories and how various pages are interconnected.
Five main categories ware created: Calls, Contacts, Messages, Video Conferencing, Profile Settings.
Design Decisions
Problem: Unclear context of “Share” function in the app’s categorization.
Solution: Recognize that “Share” can have multiple contexts and can be placed in various sections of the app as appropriate.
Problem: Call forwarding setup is located in two different places: Settings and Phone.
Solution: Test both options to determine the optimal placement for the call forwarding setup feature.
Problem: View or edit phone number functionality is available in both Settings and Phone sections, causing confusion among participants.
Solution: Place the “View or edit phone number” feature in the Profile Settings section, as most participants organized it there during testing.
Problem: User status changes were unclear in terms of categorization within Phone or Contacts sections.
Solution: Separate user status changes from both the Phone and Contacts categories. Further testing is required to determine the appropriate placement.
Problem: Some participants were unfamiliar with the concept of “Call forwarding.”
Solution: Provide helpful text or explanations to clarify the purpose and functionality of “Call forwarding.”
Problem: Participants did not understand the term “Dnd” as a status option.
Solution: Replace “Dnd” with the more explicit term “Do Not Disturb” to improve user understanding.
Problem: Uncertainty regarding the categorization of audio and video call settings.
Solution: Create mockups representing different scenarios and conduct testing to determine the most effective placement for audio and video call settings, considering options such as Audio Call, Video Call, or General Settings categories.
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