I would argue that the central idea around chaos theory, described below, is the essence of findability and Information Architecture.

The name “chaos theory” comes from the fact that the systems that the theory describes are apparently disordered, but chaos theory is really about finding the underlying order in apparently random data.

If you pay attention to human behavior for example, you can predict how people will respond in different situations. I’m sure most know those who thrive under pressure and meeting tight deadlines, while others do not. You know some who will predictably play politics within an organization, rather than innovate or try to resolve conflict.

Yet with the pace of today’s business, we are too busy to notice most patterns which have a direct impact on innovation and productivity. Stress, I would argue, is the inability of the individual to process situations within their lives; both personally and professionally. Humans are not very good at resolving problems. We tend to repeat behaviors and then rationalize our thoughts for doing the same thing while always expecting different results.

So while that individual feels like their life is in chaos, others can see this repeating pattern and the outcome bearing down on them, a mile away.

Communicating ideas shouldn’t be chaotic. Information should be easy to comprehend. All content should be a snap to find. It is becoming clear to me, that the true value in Information Architecture is helping people see these patterns in places where chaos seemingly abounds.

Take the time to look at the supposed chaos in your organization. Do you see patterns in behavior, results in products, an increase or decrease in productivity, and the like? Whether this is with internal business processes, records and document management, or web analytics telling you how visitors are using your site, taking the time to see such patterns can be a huge boost to your organization, employees, and clients.

Chaos has already had a lasting effect on science, yet there is much still left to be discovered. Many scientists believe that twentieth century science will be known for only three theories: relativity, quantum mechanics, and chaos. Aspects of chaos show up everywhere around the world, from the currents of the ocean and the flow of blood through fractal blood vessels to the branches of trees and the effects of turbulence. Chaos has inescapably become part of modern science. As chaos changed from a little-known theory to a full science of its own, it has received widespread publicity. Chaos theory has changed the direction of science: in the eyes of the general public, physics is no longer simply the study of subatomic particles in a billion-dollar particle accelerator, but the study of chaotic systems and how they work.

After months of discussions off line, Rebecca Hope, Managing Director at Motive8 Infographics and I were able to coordinate our schedules to record this Podcast where we talk about Motive8 Infographics.

An Infographic is a visual representation of large or complex processes for business and government. These tools allow people to better understand where they fit within such processes and how they add value to the entire organization.

We discuss four Infographics that Rebecca and her business partner Ken have produced recently. Each of the Infographics discussed, in order of our conversation, can be found here:

1.ETS
2.Govt3
3.MAFBNZ
4.“Before” – Cluster Navigators – “After” – Cluster Navigators

If you subscribe to this Podcast in iTunes you’ll be able to see images and links to all other content in the Album Art Window.

As well, a new navigation element within iTunes will apear called, Chapters. This will allow you to jump to specific sections within our discussion and link to content such as the Infographics, above.

Rebecca talks about the company Xplane and their work in the field of Infographics – in particular the owner of this company David Gray’s blog Communication Nation.

We also talk briefly about the book, Why Business People Speak Like Idiots.

I talk briefly at the end of the Podcast about the blog post Jess McMullin of nform posted recently about the Conversational Sketching Toolkit. A toolkit that allows clients to visually represent how they see the development of a web service.

Rebecca and Ken will be attending the Vizthink Conference in San Francisco at the end of January 2008. I hope to make it down South for this conference as well.

I’m also helping put together Podcamp Ottawa for November 25th. If you’re new to Podcasting or interested in getting started, be sure to sign up on the Wiki.

Please ensure you review the guiding principles on the Wiki as there is limited space for the first of what I’m sure will be many Pod Camps in Ottawa.