10 Commandments of Classification Scheme Analysis or How to make a darn good global nav

WARNING *** LIBRARY GEEK ALERT **** READING BELOW MIGHT AROUSE DESIRES TO WEAR HORN RIMMED GLASSES & PUT YOUR HAIR IN A BUN

Back when I started at Argus Associates I used to write up little cheat sheets for myself. I made one list of 10 things to help me review global navigations.  I am not sure if this is useful for anyone else, but I thought I would share. You have been warned it is on the super geeky side of of information architecture.

Much of this comes from cognitive anthropology and my reading of Sorting Things Out: Classification and Its Consequences by Geoffrey C Bowker and Susan Leigh Star.


10 Commandments of Classification Scheme Analysis

  1. There should be no need for multiple classifications.
  2. The granularity of terms must be appropriate across classifications.
  3. Cross-referencing must be obvious within a classification.
  4. The classification should not be based on just one audience.
  5. Labels for the same content should be the same.
  6. Vocabulary terms should clearly describe everything that is included under them.
  7. Make sure classifications include all necessary terms (comprehensive selection.)
  8. Beware the unlabeled covert categories. (These should be on your home page in an implicit way.)
  9. Act as if your are creating a thesaurus with your label choices.
  10. Your global navigation should have both hierarchical AND ASSOCIATIVE relationships. Hierarchy isn’t everything.

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