Towards standard methods and metrics for evaluating IA

[Rashmi Sinha <rashmi AT rashmisinha.com>]

Hi all,
What does everyone think about Christopher's point below.

He is advocating more of a top-down approach than what we have been 
considering so far.

Thoughts?

-Rashmi




> At 11:32 AM 6/30/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>
> >Hi Rashmi,
> >
> >I'm keeping this a personal note to you first, just wanted to get your
> >input first - didn't want to be seen like I'm the ideas of others'.
> >
> >I don't know about the "it's too soon for a standard" idea.
> >
> >Let's define the word standard. If standard means, it's just a basic
> >idea of how we do things - sure - a standard if fine.
> >
> > >From the basic idea of how we do things, we can modify/improve/remove
> >as we go along, learning from others.
> >
> >I think assuming that it's good to thrash everything out and just share
> >and share and share and share all we know and have experienced is only
> >going to overwhelm us, and I'm sure many of us know that it can be
> >demotivating when something overwhelms us.
> >
> >So rather releasing the dam gates, I think a top-down approach might
> >just be a little more effective. Afterall, what doesn't necessarily
> >work can always be improved and fixed. It's when we have too many
> >choices to consider (via a bottom up approach), our heads become numb
> >and we find no concensus.
> >
> >I guess everything I'm writing here is still a little vague - i'm
> >sorry. i just wished I had a better way to present my thoughts.
> >===
> >
> >Just some info about me self (copy and paste job from my last
> >introduction in another list - sorry):
> >
> >Am 29, Male. From Malaysia. 5' 8" (8' 11" on rainy days). Speak Bahasa
> >Melayu, English and Malayalam (a close derivative of the Sanskrit
> >language). Understand intermediate Bahasa Indonesia, Cantonese and
> >Tamil, and basic Korean. Love chess, cycling, Film production, and
> >thinks Timon and Pumbaa will make great information architects, if
> >given a chance. || key words: Timon and Pumbaa ||
> >
> >Been working in the "media" industry the last 8+ years now. A software
> >engineer by training, but have a passion for what goes on in the
> >creative and abstract world. Worked on system-security projects for the
> >US Dept. of Defense. Understand complex programming concepts, including
> >OOP (though am not a die-hard believer in it). || key words: not a die
> >hard || :)
> >
> >I believe in the equilibrium between the left and the right brain, and
> >so I consider myself a hybrid - tech and creative centric? Yes,
> >sometimes I wear two sock of different shades out to work.
> >Nevertheless, it doesn't stop me from building systems/products
> >that "truly" work for my clients. || key words: two sock of different
> >shades ||
> >
> >Experience working with people from MTV Asia, Disney TV, and
> >Dreamworks. gave me a good understanding of broadcast, film, digital
> >media, globalization and the inevitability of convergence. My last
> full-
> >time stint was Head of Content and Interaction with Terra Lycos
> >(www.terralycos.com) in Asia (www.lycosasia.com). Currently am Senior
> >Partner of a boutique animation/cross-media outfit (Radicate) based in
> >Australia. Work and projects have taken me to most parts of Asia,
> >though I currently do a lot of work in Singapore, Malaysia and
> >Hongkong. I welcome comments personal discussion (off-list) from film
> >buffs, if any. || key words: the inevitability of convergence ||
> >
> >My interest in the IA industry revolve alot around UI/X and am always
> >pushing the limits of it's application within the scope of convergence.
> >
> >Am more than glad to share my "saddest" achievements - the would
> >haves', could haves' and should haves' - if and when it's relevant to
> >the list/
> >
> >Take-aways from industry and the various IA projects I've worked on:
> >(1) Sometimes your colleague is your best mentor - s/he complements
> >what you do - that alone is something to appreciate and learn from.
> >
> >(2) Saying "thank you" and "good work" never hurts :)
> >
> >Oh, and one more thing... you gotta' have a sense of humor -
> >information architecture can sometimes be a lonely road to travel (and
> >sometimes that's why it's the road less travelled). || key words: you
> >gotta' have a sense of humor ||
> >
> >
> >
> >Always open to learning from my peers, here!
> >
> >Best wishes,
> >Christopher Gomez
> >Senior *Fill In The Blank*
> >www.radicate.com
> >==&==
> >
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Rashmi Sinha <rashmi AT rashmisinha.com>
> >Date: Friday, June 27, 2003 11:32 am
> >Subject: RE: [Aifia-metrics] Agenda for the group
> >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > Below I have summed up the jist of the comments on the agenda for
> > > the group:
> > >
> > > -Scope of initiative should be broad. Should include evaluation
> > > methods, metrics, guidelines, patterns, rules-of-thumb, do's
> > > and don't. For every such contribution, it would be nice to
> ><== message truncated ==>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rashmi Sinha <rashmi AT rashmisinha.com>
> Date: Saturday, June 28, 2003 2:32 am
> Subject: RE: [Aifia-metrics] Agenda for the group
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > Below I have summed up the jist of the comments on the agenda for
> > the group:
> >
> > -Scope of initiative should be broad. Should include evaluation
> > methods,
> > metrics, guidelines, patterns, rules-of-thumb, do's and don't. For
> > every
> > such contribution, it would be nice to know what worked and what
> > did not.
> >
> > -Bottom up approach  (letting people share methods and measures)
> > is
> > appropriate right now. For this some sort of a community
> > infrastructure for
> > sharing is needed.
> >
> > -Top down approach (standards etc.) are a worthy goal and worth
> > aiming for.
> > We do not know enough to push ahead with that currently. But its
> > important
> > to keep that in mind as we go on with the project.
> >
> > Can we go around and get some feedback, suggestions on this
> > summary? Some
> > quick ay's and nay's, suggestions, refinements would be great.
> > Lets make
> > sure to hear from everyone on the list before we forge ahead.
> >
> > cheers!
> >
> > -rashmi
> >
> >
> >
> > At 03:49 PM 6/20/2003 -0700, Susan Campbell wrote:
> > >Hi,
> > >
> > >I share Liv's perspective that it's too soon for standards, and
> > we can gain
> > >a lot learning from each other on what worked well and what
> > failed. I prefer
> > >the bottom up method to get for sharing information, but top-down
> > is useful
> > >when it comes to formatting all the ideas into a useful format
> > (paper, best
> > >practices checklist, website, etc.)
> > >
> > >I'd also like to hear about the range of measures IAs need. These
> > needs>might naturally come out of method discussion.
> > >
> > >A bit on me...
> > >Susan Campbell...I lead Information Architecture and Usability
> > Engineering>at ZAAZ, a web agency in Seattle.  Trying to balance
> > work with outdoor
> > >sports so you probably won't reach me after hours ;)
> > >
> > >Glad to be involved and meet you all.
> > >
> > >Have a great weekend,
> > >Susan
> > >_______________________________________________
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> > >Aifia-metrics AT lists.ibiblio.org
> > >http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinf
> >
> >
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> >
>
> //= END of Forwaded Message =//