I went through the entire app and laid out every single feature of Alexa. As well as every parts nested into the different areas of Alexa.

I wanted to determine the most important features so I could create a more clear relationship between larger and nested features.

These are the steps I took to determine information architecture needs :

Step 1: Defined goals for user experience,

Step 2: Explored every feature nested in the app (in the hamburger) and listed them out.

Step 3: Split all features from one another to re-organize.

Step 4: Defined all connections across features. Linked all features that "talk" to one another within the app, at any point.

Step 5: Separated the features into two key parts: You the user, and Alexa.

I also created 3 separate areas within those:

1. What Alexa is doing for you

2. All Alexa centralized features

3. Your own personal user settings

Step 6: Created (but ultimately redefined for the sole purpose of reducing) categories to nest the sub categories/features in to avoid cognitive overload. I based this on familiar categories users would already be more comfortable with by modeling after iphone features.

I nested the category sub features based on which features "talk" to one another so users don't get lost moving from one area of the app to the other while customizing Alexa.

Step 7: Listed out new categories and all features that would be within each new category.

Step 8: Cross-referenced to make sure I included every single feature and need in every category.

Step 9: Created a user story that could go through the experience to see if they were able to get to where they needed to go more quickly.

Step 10: Iterate on designs to tune the heuristics.

Step 11: Began the process of visual design based visual design on:

1. What Alexa is doing for you: Running features.

2. All Alexa centralized features: Including things Alexa can do for you into one place all inner app features can be visualized.

3. Your own personal user settings: Defined which features pertains to you the user. This includes things like your own preferences for Alexa. For example, how you want her to interact with you, how she answers you, what metric system she should use - all your catered preferences.

ex: Before: If I wanted to create a "routine" that required another device to be added or integrated, the ability to add or manage devices would have to be done separately in an entirely different part of the app.

I wanted to create seamless paths from one flow to the next so you always know where you are and have access to all related features rather than having to backtrack within the app.

Final Layout:

I created a separation between you and Alexa, where you meet in the middle. This is where your real world needs meet Alexa's abilities and both can work together. At the center of your needs and her abilities.