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Yes, Information Mapping is a mature and well-developed approach. I
haven't used it recently, but I did take training about 10 years ago in
Chicago. Our task was to take complex and verbose environmental
regulations and translate them into daily tasks that an entry-level
person at a facility could grasp and implement. Our pilot went very well
and we won the long-term contract.
The process is all about analyzing content, and then organizing and
"chunking" information into discrete, usable blocks based upon that
analysis. Often, the approach leads to information that can easily be
presented in bullets and tabular form, such as IF/THEN/AND tables or
STEP/ACTION tables. I continue to use some of the things learned in that
class to this day. The analytical part of the approach and the ability
to strip content to its bare essentials -- without losing those
essentials -- were, to me, the biggest benefits.
As Barry suggested, others on the list should be able to offer a more
current and complete discourse. Stay tuned.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Barry Campbell
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:34 AM
To: Gordon McLean
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Writing structured content
On 6/20/07, Gordon McLean <Gordon -dot- McLean -at- grahamtechnology -dot- com> wrote:
> As a step towards taking the 'single source' plunge, I'm looking to
> locate a training course on how to write for such a solution. I've
> seen these referred to as "structured writing" and "writing for single
> source" in the past, but my google-fu is failing me.
>
> Does anyone know of any such training courses being run in the UK?
Gordon, the generic term for what you're describing is indeed
'structured writing,' and Googling on that term will help locate many
online resources.
If a course is what you are after, one prominent system of structured
writing, Information Mapping (registered, trademarked, otherwise
protected and commercially exploited in various ways in various
countries) offers courses through certified consultants, and is
certainly being promoted these days as "the way to write" for
single-sourcing, etc.
Disclaimer: I have never taken an "Information Mapping" class or used
one of their products, but I'd bet my next paycheck that someone on this
mailing list has and can advise further.
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats
or printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista &
2007 Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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