PDF Disclaimer
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. See EPA's PDF page for more information about getting and using the free Acrobat Reader.
Site Help
Topics
Glossary
Site Map
Many links on the Web Guide are available to EPA Intranet users only. If you are an outside contractor working for EPA, please contact your EPA representative for more information. If you are another federal agency or other party interested in EPA's web policies and procedures, please contact EPA through the "Contact Us" page on this site.
Questions?
Web or WebCMS Questions?
Call the EPA Call Center
1-866-411-4EPA (4372).
Computer Questions?
Call CTS
1-866-955-4CTS (4287).
Information Architecture
What is Web Information Architecture (IA)?
Information Architecture (IA) for the Web is the art and science of organizing and labeling Web content so that users can navigate a site and easily find the information they need. A Web IA is essentially an organization schema for the content on a Web site.
What is EPA's Information Architecture?"
EPA's new Information Architecture is to create a topical organization of our website, instead of an ownership based organization.
EPA's Topical Information Architecture starts with these 4 main information channels. Laws & Regulations, Science and Technology, Learn the Issues, and About EPA.
What is EPA's goal for IA?
The agency-wide Information Architecture (IA) will function as an over-arching top layer for EPA’s web content. The IA will provide a framework for EPA to present topically-related web content from various offices and regions via a unified interface. This unified top layer will co-exist with, not replace, the multiple discrete web areas that comprise the EPA web site.
Why is this effort needed?
EPA.gov is made up of many individual web areas created by its various offices and regions. While these web areas might provide the best information possible regarding their particular perspective and resources, they do not do a very good job aggregating or linking to related web content that has been produced by other EPA offices or regions. Providing this aggregated, topical access to EPA’s web content will be the focus of the agency-wide IA. The Information Architecture will not replace the existing pages that comprise the EPA.gov web site. It will enhance them by adding more topically-defined entry points for our users who are not familiar with the organizational structure that organizes our web content now.
What are the benefits of the Web Information Architecture for EPA.GOV?
-Information that is easy to find, accessible, relevant, accurate, timely and complete
-Content that is topic-based
-Improved search results from both EPA’s search engine and external search engines
-Improved navigation and ease of use for our diverse audiences
Is there an overview document that I can share with my management?
Yes. It is called A Unified Approach to Improving EPA’s Web Site. (DOC)
What is the difference between IA and the Web Taxonomy?
IA is the structure and organization of the content. Taxonomy is how content is tagged for search and retrieval in the CMS and the web site. The Web Taxonomy is housed here. You can search all of the facets together, one facet alone, or any combination of facets by using the control key to select each facet.
Where can I find documents on the creation of the
IA Framework?
Where can I find the
presentations and notes from the IA Webinars?
How does Metadata play into the IA?
Metadata is defined as data that describes other data. EPA now has a Web Metadata specification. Filling in the required fields will allow content to be found easier for both our web site users and our topical editors.See the
Metadata page for more details.
What are the EPA Web metadata standards?
The specifications for applying metadata to your web content.
Posted here
IA Documents
*EPA.gov
Information Architecture Strategy -Draft (PDF) (42pp, 93K)
