Information Architecture

Overview

Use this skill to make product information structures findable, scalable, and consistent across surfaces.

Scope Boundaries

• Use this skill when the task matches the trigger condition described in description.
• Do not use this skill when the primary task falls outside this skill’s domain.

Shared References

• Navigation depth and labeling rules:
  • references/navigation-depth-and-labeling-rules.md

Templates And Assets

• Sitemap template:
  • assets/sitemap-template.md
• Taxonomy glossary template:
  • assets/taxonomy-glossary-template.csv
• IA validation checklist:
  • assets/ia-validation-checklist.md

Inputs To Gather

• Content inventory and navigation pain points.
• User mental models and primary task priorities.
• Localization constraints and terminology rules.
• Product growth expectations affecting hierarchy scale.

Deliverables

• Hierarchy and sitemap definition.
• Taxonomy and labeling rules with ownership.
• Navigation risks and ambiguity log.
• Discoverability validation results.

Workflow

1. Audit current hierarchy and duplicate pathways.
2. Draft hierarchy in assets/sitemap-template.md.
3. Define taxonomy in assets/taxonomy-glossary-template.csv.
4. Validate labels with references/navigation-depth-and-labeling-rules.md.
5. Run assets/ia-validation-checklist.md against key user tasks.

Quality Standard

• Hierarchy is navigable without unnecessary depth.
• Labels are clear across supported locales.
• Critical tasks are discoverable in predictable steps.
• Taxonomy ownership is defined for future changes.

Failure Conditions

• Stop when taxonomy terms conflict across core surfaces.
• Stop when navigation choices cannot explain task findability.
• Escalate when critical tasks remain undiscoverable after redesign.