Multiple Organizations
Almost all organizations are really nested, multiple organizations. Most directories, for example, might list people's names by division or location, then by department or title, then by alphabet. Catalogs may break products into categories first, then arrange them in a continuum based on price (highest cost to lowest perhaps). Be aware that the primary organization is just that and that large groups of things might need secondary or more sub-organizations. Each of these, of course, needs to be clear and meaningful as well.
It is also useful to include indexes that organize the same items in different ways. This is important in allowing people to find things in ways that are most appropriate for the things they know or the ways they learn. All people learn differently and have varying skills. Some may be comfortable with maps while others prefer lists. Some may not understand the alphabet while others can't relate to the continuum. Multiple organizations help everybody find things easier. In addition, even if people understand the organization, they may not have the correct information. For example, they may know the street they need to go to, but not where to find it on a map (this is where street indexes come in handy). They may know that they want a recipe for a low-calorie dessert, but don't want to search through every recipe in the dessert section to find one.
Lastly, it is precisely the ability to see the same set of things in different organizations that allows people to uncover the patterns in the relationships between these things. If possible people should be able to rearrange the organizations themselves or be provided with different arrangements so they can begin to understand these patterns for themselves.
Copyright 1994 Nathan Shedroff
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