Information Architecture for Designers: Structuring Websites for Business Success

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Templates

These are the templates mentioned in the book. To use them you will need the relevant programs (with apologies to users of other software): Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel.

If you don't own a copy of Microsoft Visio, you can still view Visio diagrams in the free Visio Viewer.

Information Architecture Deliverables

To download Visio stencils, (assuming you have Visio installed on your computer): right-click the link and save to the Solutions directory in Visio (usually C:\Program Files\Visio\Solutions).

Wireframe stencil (Visio). This stencil makes it a lot faster to develop wireframes.

Isometric Sitemap stencil (Visio). This stencil makes it easier to create those funky 2.5D sitemaps.

Large sitemap stencil (Visio). Stencil for creating large sitemaps.

Navigation icons stencil (Visio). I use these sometimes to clarify which navigation templates are used in which section of a website.

Usability test consent form (Word). Hand out to usability test participants.

Functionality versus usefullness and cost (Excel). Simple template to help discussions about which functionality to implement.

screenshot of 3d template
An example using the Isometric Sitemap stencil.

Other IA stencils and templates

The AIfIA Tools Initiative gathers information architecture templates.
A visual vocabulary by Jesse James Garret.
If you use Omnigraffle, have a look at Michael's Omnigraffle Wireframe Pallette.
Robert Silverman also has a nice Omnigraffle GUI Design Palette.
Michael also provides a Visio Wireframe Stencil.
Gabe Zentall provides an excellent user interface library.
Sample deliverables from Adaptive Path.