Beyond Schemas: Planning Your XML Model

Developing an Information Model

An information model, in this context, is a document describing methods for creating standard information within your organization. This document is a way to formalize the analysis you conducted to identify the structures needed in your information. The information model directly supports the results found from your user study and information analysis. Your users help identify what information they need. As a result, you can pinpoint patterns and methods for delivering the information to best fit your users' needs.

The result of information modeling is a document—a guideline for each person who creates the information to follow so he creates consistent information from one instance to another. If you did not provide a guide to follow, each person will most likely create his own information inconsistently from one colleague to another. Also, each person is likely to create their own inconsistent information.

What Are the Benefits of an Information Model?

You can use an information model as a training tool to provide your content contributors with a guide for creating their information. You may find that each job role is responsible for creating different information. But, if each person doesn't create her information consistently, your users will have more and more questions.

An information model also provides a way to document best practices within your organization. If you provide a guideline for people to create information, you can ensure that a higher ...