Practical Modeling: Making the Invisible Visible

Abstract

EDITOR'S SUMMARYA fundamental part of information architecture is translating rough ideas through language to a set of organized relationships, understandable to all stakeholders. Modeling information helps visualize the problem to be addressed en route to finding a solution. The process may be complex, iterative and time consuming but necessary to transition from a vague idea to a final implementation. Modeling takes place throughout a project to facilitate analysis of the problem being addressed. It helps clarify relationships and ideas without moving too quickly to specifics, like bubble diagrams of spatial relationships that evolve in phases into detailed architectural drawings. Modeling captures assumptions, even if unstated and invisible, and it can take multiple forms as it progresses to support clear navigation, logical filters and effective discovery.