What are the most effective card sorting tools for evaluating IA?

1 Why card sorting?

Card sorting can be a useful tool to help you reach several goals in your IA. It can help you gain an understanding of users' mental models and expectations, identify gaps, overlaps, or inconsistencies in your content, organize content into logical and intuitive categories, name categories and navigation labels, and validate or test your existing or proposed IA. Depending on your objectives and resources, card sorting can be used at different stages of the design process -- as a formative research method to explore user needs and preferences or as a summative evaluation method to measure user satisfaction and performance.

2 Types of card sorting

There are two main types of card sorting: open and closed. In open card sorting, users are free to create and name their own categories, while in closed card sorting, users are given a predefined set of categories to sort the cards into. Open card sorting is more useful for generating ideas and discovering user perspectives, while closed card sorting is more useful for validating and refining existing categories and labels.

Another variation is hybrid card sorting, which combines elements of both open and closed card sorting. In hybrid card sorting, users are given some predefined categories, but they can also create their own categories or modify the existing ones.

3 How to conduct card sorting

Card sorting can be conducted either in person or online, depending on your budget, timeline, and target audience. In-person card sorting involves inviting users to a physical location, providing them with printed cards and labels, and observing and recording their sorting process and feedback. Online card sorting involves using a software tool that allows users to participate remotely, and automatically collects and analyzes the data.

Both methods have their pros and cons. In-person card sorting can offer more rich and qualitative data, as you can interact with users and ask them questions, but it can also be more costly and time-consuming, as you need to recruit, schedule, and facilitate the sessions. Online card sorting can reach more users and provide more quantitative and statistical data, but it can also be less engaging and informative, as you have less control and communication with users.

4 Choosing a card sorting tool

When choosing a card sorting tool, there are various factors to consider. These include the type of card sorting you want to conduct (open, closed, or hybrid), the number of users you want to involve and the level of recruitment support needed, the customization and flexibility of cards, categories, and instructions, the quality and variety of data analysis and visualization options, compatibility and integration with other tools or platforms, reliability and security of the tool and data, as well as the cost and value for your budget and needs.

6 Tips for successful card sorting

Regardless of which tool you choose, there are some best practices that can help you conduct effective and efficient card sorting sessions. It is important to define your goals and scope clearly and realistically, as well as choose the type of card sorting that suits your objectives and resources. You should also select and prepare your cards and categories carefully and consistently, while recruiting and screening users based on your target audience and criteria. Furthermore, it is essential to provide clear instructions and guidance for your users, as well as pilot test your card sorting session before launching it to the public. Additionally, analyzing your data with multiple methods and perspectives is key to interpreting your results with caution and context. Finally, it is essential to communicate and apply your findings and recommendations. Card sorting is a powerful technique for evaluating and improving your IA, but it does require careful planning, execution, and analysis in collaboration with other methods and stakeholders. With the right tool and following the best practices, you can create a better user experience for your website, app, or system.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?