IA Consultancy for NHS

Information Architecture (IA) is the foundation of this experience. We move beyond simply "organising content" to create a structured environment where navigation feels natural, reducing frustration and improving outcomes.

Our proven and well-honed methodology developed over 17 years, involves an in-depth analysis of the different “personas” that would interact with your digital touch-points - website, intranet, mobile app, portal - and the types of information (Content) they would need in order to rapidly find what they are looking for and therefore have an excellent experience. A properly performed IA exercise

will increase efficiency, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction and most importantly leads to cost savings.

VerseOne's Website IA Methodology is the starting point for every digital solution we provide and it also forms a part of the ongoing value-added services offerings that are key to ensuring that our digital solutions continue to deliver best value and success for our customers.

Information architecture is the term used to describe the structure of a system, i.e the way information is grouped, the navigation methods and terminology used within the system. An effective information architecture enables people to step logically through a system confident they are getting closer to the information they require. Most people only notice information architecture when it is poor and stops them from finding the information they require.

Information architecture (IA) is a key aspect of UX design that focuses on organising information, structuring Web sites and mobile apps, and helping users navigate them to find and process the information they need.

A well-designed, user-friendly information architecture ensures that users spend less time and effort searching for information and are successful in finding what they need. Key information-

architecture tasks include identifying common features in content, forming groups of similar information objects, and linking documents to other documents on the same topic. Optimising search for a Web site or mobile app also helps visitors to find information quickly.

Poorly structured information doesn't just frustrate users; it carries serious risks for NHS Trusts:

▶  Low Staff Adoption: On intranets, poor IA leads to staff using outdated, offline resources, creating clinical risk.

▶  Compliance & Accessibility: Failure to meet WCAG 2.2 and GDS standards can lead to legal and regulatory repercussions.

▶  Increased Overheads: When users cannot find information, they revert to phone lines and A&E, driving up operational costs.

This problem is only set to get worse as the quantity of information available through sites increases. What can an organisation do to increase the chances that people can successfully navigate their site and find the information they require?