What is UI Structural Engineering?

UI structural engineering is a sub-discipline of information architecture in which practitioners are trained to systematically model and assess the integrity of a user interface’s structural design (also referred to as information architecture).

Information architects ensure that user interfaces are designed for resilience to withstand stress and mitigate unintended outcomes (e.g., poor usability, information gaps/leakage, harm, expense, etc.) due to poor conceptual integrity. Consideration is given to the durability of UI components and the risk of component erosion that can impair performance over time and the ability to scale.

UI structural engineering requires a rigorous technical foundation for analyzing the density patterns and properties associated with human-derived concepts and how the stored state of interrelated concepts within a system enable targeted human-computer interactions and objectives for all participants with respect to desired financial outcomes.

Information architects that specialize in the diagnosis and financial impact assessment of UI structures are referred to as IA structural analysts. While IA analysts must understand IA design and engineering concepts, their primary function is focused on measurement, forecasting, and remediation recommendations.

The models provided by an information architects are used by UI and UX designers, content specialists, developers, data modelers, and technical architects.

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