Information mapping

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Information Mapping is a as a trademark registered method , information to separate and structure. It is assigned to the area of knowledge management .

Areas of application

The technology has been widely used since 1972 in the creation of technical documentation in industry . However, the method is suitable for all types of company documents (including letters and e-mails ) and for other types of editorial work .

functionality

The information mapping technique is a method for structuring information. It is based on general knowledge, which is also part of the learning content at universities in cognitive psychology , media psychology and learning psychology . With the information mapping technique, this knowledge is combined into a single method. Information is transformed into perception-optimized information sizes and structures. The information is processed in such a way that individual types of information are self-contained. With this method, a technical writer can write technical documentation, an article, or other text so that the information contained in the document is available in a shorter, more concise, and more understandable form. This makes the content easier to understand, and certain content can be found more easily. The documents can be read more quickly, lead to fewer errors and are more clearly understandable. The method consists of three components, the analysis, the structuring or arrangement and the presentation of information. In addition, the author is provided with a number of tools, including recommendations, rules and procedures, to create a mapped document. Important tools of information mapping technology are two new information units, the so-called blocks and maps. There are also seven principles that the author must adhere to. Seven types of information are specified according to which the content of the document is classified and for each of which several types of presentation are recommended. The information mapping method is a basic standard that can be easily adapted to company-specific needs and can thus be expanded into a company's own editorial standard .

history

The method was developed by Robert E. Horn at Harvard University in Boston in the mid-1960s . In the 1970s and 1980s he developed seminars and training courses. He founded the company Information Resources Inc. , which later in Information Mapping, Inc. has been renamed. He offered these seminars first to public institutions in the United States , such as B. the US Army . The technology came to Germany in the mid-1990s.

right

Information Mapping refers to a trademark whose rights are at Information Mapping, Inc.. The forwarding of information mapping technology via training through of Information Mapping, Inc. certified trainer . The seminar documents contain detailed information on how to implement the method.

Summary of goals

  • Clearer structure of the text or document
  • Find the information you are looking for faster
  • Greater efficiency when writing documents
  • Effective texts from the author's point of view
  • Improved analysis in the event of a lack of information and clarification of contradictions
  • Time saving when reading
  • Easier to understand for the reader
  • Faster new entry into topics unknown to the reader
  • Consideration of the needs of readers and authors

Basics

The information mapping technique is based on the seven principles :

  • Structure principle : structure in manageable units
  • Relevance principle : Summary of related information in one unit
  • Titling principle : Designations clearly related to the content
  • Uniformity principle : equal treatment of comparable elements
  • Principle of the equivalence of the information carriers : equal treatment of tables , graphics , texts and diagrams
  • Principle of the availability of details : information is available where it is needed
  • Systematic structure and title principle : systematic application of structure and title to all levels of the document

The information is differentiated according to the following types of information:

  • Instructions : describes the implementation of an action ("How do I have to proceed if ...?")
  • Process : describes the functionality of an object ("How does ...?")
  • Structure : describes the structure of an object ("What does it look like?")
  • Term : defines an object ("What is that?")
  • Principle : describes regularities ("What do I have to consider if ...?")
  • Fact : lists the features of an object ("How big, how heavy ... is that?")
  • Classification : classifies objects ("Where does ...?")

The information mapping technique uses the following two units of information:

  • Block : contains elements that belong together in terms of content such as tables , graphics , texts and charts
  • Map : summarizes several blocks that belong together in terms of content or purpose under a common title

literature

  • Robert E. Horn: Mapping Hypertext - Analysis, Linkage, and Display of Knowledge for the Next Generation of On-Line Text and Graphics. A Publication of The Lexington Institute. Lexington 1989, ISBN 0-9625565-0-5 .
  • Robert E. Horn: How High Can It Fly? Examining the Evidence on Information Mapping's Method of High Performance Communication. 1st chapter + 2nd chapter (PDF)

Web links