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Best Practices for Choosing an Information Architecture Consulting Firm.
Whether you’re in need of a complete strategy overhaul or want to evaluate your current information architecture (IA), working with a consulting firm can be a great way to get professional expertise and move forward with confidence. Choosing the right firm, however, can be a challenge. With so many options out there, how do you know which one is best for your organization?
At the end of the day, you want a consulting firm that will help your organization achieve its goals. Here are some best practices for choosing an IA consulting firm:
- Define your goals.
Before you even look at different firms, you need to have a detailed understanding of what you want to accomplish. Otherwise, it’ll be hard to determine which firm is the best fit for your organization. Spend time defining your objectives and outcomes so you can have an informed conversation with potential firms.
- Ensure the firm follows relevant standards.
IA consulting firms should follow best practices established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the World Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This ensures the firm is up-to-date on both international and industry-specific standards.
- Ask for referrals.
Talk to other businesses in your industry to see if they’ve worked with any IA consulting firms. This will not only give you an understanding of how different firms operate, but also provide you with insight from an outside perspective.
- Research the firm’s portfolio.
Look at the firm’s portfolio to see if they’ve done work for organizations similar to yours. This will give you a better understanding of the firm’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Look for a firm with the right expertise.
It’s important to find a firm that has relevant experience in the areas of IA that you’re looking to improve. Look for firms that specialize in areas like content modeling, user experience, search engine optimization, and more.
- Evaluate the firm’s process.
Ideally, you want a firm that takes a systematic approach to IA. This should include a process that properly evaluates current information structures and develops plans for aligning them to business objectives.
- Ensure you can communicate effectively.
Communication is key when it comes to working with a consulting firm. Make sure you get along well with the firm and can effectively communicate with them throughout the process.
By following these best practices, you’ll be on your way to choosing an IA consulting firm that’s best for your organization. Good luck!