Tree testing is a simplified way to measure how easy it is to find items in a site structure.
In a tree test, we ask participants to look for specific items in a “tree” of headings and subheadings.
Tree testing involves two fundamental elements of IA – organization and labeling.
Tree testing is quick, focused, better than closed card sorting at testing structures, and can be run before you have a website.
Tree testing is best done in the early stages of design – ideally as part of the initial research phase.
It takes 1-2 weeks to run a tree test, depending on the complexity of your site and design process.
Tree testing suits websites that have a fundamentally “tree-like” structure, and where the main navigation reflects this tree.
Next: Chapter 3: IA in the design process