Web Blueprints

Information Architects refer to web site flow charts and diagrams as "blueprints". When consulting on a web site design or redesign the first thing an information architect does is make a simple "page flow diagram". This diagram helps to visualize the best way to structure the site's major sections and pages.

For smaller sites I like to use MS Word or PowerPoint because the client is likely to have this tool and thus the client can easily modify labels, page titles, etc, without learning a new tool. For larger projects MS Visio, Illustrator, or even a UML design tool is used.

Download an example of an old page flow diagram for this web site (in MS Word). Having a Page Flow Diagram such as this provides a means to discuss with the client where best to add pages, remove pages, restructure things, and more.