Taxonomies and controlled vocabularies
Taxonomy is the science and practice of classification. In information architecture, a taxonomy is a hierarchical organization of content categories, using a specific, carefully designed set of descriptive terms. As any experienced editor or librarian can tell you, one of the biggest challenges of organizing large amounts of information is developing a system for always referring to the same things the same way: a controlled vocabulary, in library science parlance. One of the most important jobs of the information architect thus is producing a consistent set of names and terms to describe the chief site content categories, the key navigation site links, and major terms to describe the interactive features of the site. This controlled vocabulary becomes a foundational element of the content organization, the user interface, the standard navigation links seen on every page of the site, and the file and directory structure of the site itself.