Definition
Information architecture is an organic, intuitive and iterative process that is equal parts art and science.
Simply defined, an IA is the bridge between the technologists and the content owners, and the advocate for end users.
Marshall Rule No. 1
When the client doesn't know what they want, precisely tell
them what you will give them.
Information architects work in a fuzzy field. They need to accumulate every
bit of data they can to support their positions because they live in an environment
where opinions often do double-duty as facts. WebTrends reports on server
logs are invaluable. Watching people work -- and interviewing them -- is essential.
Focus groups do not equal testing.
Information architects need the technical savvy of the programmers, the visual knowledge of the graphic designers, and the people skills of a diplomat. They can espouse methodologies but cannot blindly follow them. Every research phase turns up something new.
In intranet settings, information architects believe in making it easy for people to publish from their desktop. Much good starts there.