What defines a sequential model in information architecture?

A sequential model in information architecture is defined by the structured navigation that guides users through content in a fixed, step-by-step order. This approach is particularly effective in scenarios where the content is meant to be consumed in a specific sequence, ensuring that users engage with each part of the information or process in the intended order.

For instance, tutorials, onboarding processes, or forms that require information to be filled out in a particular sequence utilize this model. By adhering to a sequence, the experience becomes more manageable and coherent for users, as they can focus on one step at a time without the distraction of skipping around or making independent choices.

The other options describe models that emphasize free navigation or random browsing, which are characteristic of non-sequential structures. These models allow for more flexibility and exploration but do not provide the same guided progression that is central to a sequential model.