I have been a web architect for over 6 years now. I always love looking at innovations and working on new paradigms that are emerging.
One of the biggest paradigm shifts that I have seen in the web app industry is the move from a data-driven paradigm (data entry screens) to content-driven paradigm (contextual information, data with metadata). Recognising the DIKW(Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom) heirarchy, we are moving from Data Management Systems to Information Management Systems to Knowledge Management Systems. I wonder if we will have Wisdom Management Systems ever?!
I am looking to move from being a Data/Technology Architect to an Information Architect. This in the context of the DIKW heirarchy is a move to adding more value to the end-user of the application; by adding as much as context to the data as possible.
“Good context” and “Bad context” are relative to the user. Hence the understanding of the user is critical in providing context to data. Thus information architecture involves understanding the user’s profile, his needs for consuming the information besides designing the information itself.
I am keen to adopting and utilising all the skills involved in becoming a Information Architect.
Who knows?! Next would be becoming a Knowledge Architect