Overview
Context: Coursework for Information Architecture at Mount Royal University
Skills: usability testing, data analysis, synthesis, sitemap design, and report writing.
Tools: Optimal Workshop, Excel, Canva, and Google Docs
Date: November 2025
The Process
Background
This project analyzed how effectively AARCS's website guided people toward actions such as donating, fostering, and volunteering.
Findings showed that clearer language, FAQs, and more intuitive pathways dramatically improved user decision-making.
The Research
This research occurred in four stages:
1. Create an initial sitemap outlining the website’s current structure.
2. Conduct Tree Test 1 to assess how well the website's structure facilitates quick and accurate decision-making.
3. Analysis of initial findings and re-design of sitemap, addressing any issues encountered by users in the initial website structure.
4. Conduct Tree Test 2 to assess whether the proposed changes improved navigation and decision-making.
The Results
The tree testing study revealed that many users struggled to locate important pages related to volunteering, donating, and fostering.
These are the core actions that allow people to support AARCS, which means unclear navigation directly hinders the organization’s ability to receive support.
Proposed Next Steps
Based on these findings, I created a revised sitemap that:
- Reorganized the content into clearer groups,
- Simplified the labels, and
- Reduced unnecessary steps.
This updated structure supports faster task completion and makes it easier for users to access the information they need to help AARCS.