Business activities either create or consume information relevant to the business. The information architecture is used to ensure that this information flow is both effective and efficient. There are several factors to consider in developing an information architecture: What decisions are business users making in conducting their jobs? What information is needed to support these decisions? What forms should that information be in? How will they be accessing it? Where does that information originate? Are we capturing information at the earliest practical point? Where is the data stored? How is it maintained and updated? Who manages the information? The information requirements will determine how applications are designed and the nature of the technology infrastructure.