A good way to start planning your website is to walk away from the computer. Effective information architecture can often be well planned using a table or wall and a stack of Post-It notes. By writing each navigation item on a Post-It, they can be easily rearranged, added, or removed from the diagram. This is a very effective method to use in a group so that all concerns can be voiced as the plan is put together.
I recently read an article from the Group for User Interface Research from the University of California, Berkeley where they had taken this idea and added technology to support it. They moved this activity to a programmed SMART board and integrated it with other programs which allowed for history and version control. It also allowed the users to view different types of web plans and save all ideas during this process. I do believe there will be more exploration of this type of device and software as website owners recognize the importance of usability in their websites.
I do believe that website owners are more aware than ever of the need for their website to be useful and intuitively organized. By employing a website firm that is aware of this importance and has experience recognizing the steps that are necessary before designing, this goal will be met.
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