RE: Please describe value of Information Mapping

Subject: RE: Please describe value of Information Mapping
From: David Hailey <david -dot- hailey -at- usu -dot- edu>
To: Bob Doyle <bobdoyle -at- skybuilders -dot- com>, Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 08:44:44 -0600

In response to Bob's excellent post, chunking can be particularly advantageous if we remember that a technical document often has a variety of audiences with a number of different purposes (e.g., executive summary as opposed to highly technical content in the same report). A "chunk" of information, correctly done, should automatically be directed at the appropriate purpose and audience, even if it is applied to a new document.

The danger is to use a chumk of information that is on topic but not appropriate for its purpose or audience in the new document. This is a common practice and error in digital documentation.

In a simple test I give graduate students, all working professionals, I have them evaluate a simple web site where the above problem (wrong purpose and audience) appears twice. 100% of the time, these professional writers fail to identify either problem.

The XML DITA approach to organization is very powerful, but it comes with the need to be careful about how the chunks are inserted into documents.

Just a thought.

Dave
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References:
Please describe value of Information Mapping: From: Tim Mantyla
Re: Please describe value of Information Mapping: From: Bob Doyle
Re: Please describe value of Information Mapping: From: Bill Swallow
Re: Please describe value of Information Mapping: From: Bob Doyle

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