# Plan a card sort or tree test to fix my navigation

Sets up an information architecture study, including the method, cards or tree, tasks, participants, and how to read the results.

- Topic: Product & UX Design
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Rewrite & Edit, Plan, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/plan-a-card-sort-or-tree-test-to-fix-my-navigation

## Prompt

```text
Help me plan an information architecture study to improve my product's or site's navigation.

**What I am organizing:** [e.g. app settings, help center, ecommerce categories, intranet]
**The problem:** [e.g. "people can't find billing", "menu has grown to 14 items"]
**Current structure:** [PASTE THE MENU OR SITEMAP]
**Content items:** [LIST OR PASTE THE PAGES/FEATURES]
**Users:** [WHO, AND HOW MANY I CAN RECRUIT]
**Tools I have:** [e.g. an online card sorting tool, spreadsheets, in-person sessions]

Give me:
1. Which method fits and why: open card sort (discover how people group things), closed or hybrid sort (test my categories), or tree test (test whether people can find things in a proposed structure). Often the answer is a sort first, then a tree test.
2. For a card sort: 30-60 cards written in plain user language without repeating category words that bias grouping, plus instructions for participants.
3. For a tree test: the text-only tree, and 8-10 realistic find-it tasks phrased without using the label words, each with the correct answer location.
4. Participant numbers (common guidance: about 15-30 for a card sort, 50 or more for a tree test online) and screening criteria.
5. How to analyze results: similarity matrix and agreement for sorts; success, directness, and first-click for tree tests; what thresholds would make me change a label.
6. Pitfalls to avoid.
```

## What to fill in

- PASTE THE MENU OR SITEMAP
- LIST OR PASTE THE PAGES/FEATURES
- WHO, AND HOW MANY I CAN RECRUIT

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