Information Modeling for Topic-Based Authoring

Description

Are you responsible for your organization’s Information Architecture? Do you need to understand how to create that architecture and capture the plans and principles in an Information Model?

This workshop is the very best starting point for your implementation of DITA and XML topic-based authoring. We will cover all aspects of the Information Model, which is the set of principles that define your information architecture. Learn how to build an Information Model for your organization. Learn how to define your information types, the content units they contain, your standard document structures, as well as your metadata schema, file and graphic naming conventions, and folder structure. You will have an opportunity to apply the principles to your own content. You will analyze your organization’s potential for content reuse and begin to define a reuse strategy.

If you are already searching for a content management solution or just beginning your content management implementation, it’s not too late. Your first draft of an Information Model prepares you for your pilot project and beyond. Even if you have implemented a content management system and DITA but you’re not getting the return on investment you had hoped, Information Modeling will set you on the right path.

You will learn to

• Understand the importance of having a comprehensive Information Model with an integrated user model to meet customer needs
• Create an Information Model so that it becomes a valuable tool for your move to topic-based authoring in XML
• Make well-targeted decisions about how you will implement information types, content units, inline elements, and all the other parts of an XML document type
• Decide what information types are needed to support your organization’s content, from the DITA standard through potential specializations
• Specify the content units and DITA elements you will use to develop each information type
• Define the structures for your standard document types, such as user guides, training manuals, and so on
• Understand the importance of implementing standard file names for text and graphics and standard folder structures to handle DITA requirements
• Develop a reuse strategy using conditional processing, conref and keyref mechanisms, stylesheets, and other DITA reuse mechanisms
• Create authoring guidelines and templates to train your information and training developers in the new standards and processes