Kathy Sierra has some wonderful information on the wisdom hierarchy model, known in Knowledge Management circles as the DIKW hierarchy (Data - Information - Knowledge - Wisdom). I'm copying a section that particularly jumped out at me:
"If you're creating tutorials and docs for your users, what are you focusing on? Remember, kicking ass and creativity usually doesn't happen at the data, information, and even the knowledge level. If you're not taking your users up the top tiers, you might be missing the chance to give them more inspiring (cognitively arousing?) experiences.

I'm dealing with this right now as I inherit the first round of documentation on a new Microsoft product. I have the exciting opportunity to redesign and flush out the content, and what Kathy writes about here is exactly what I'm dealing with - less how and what, and more why and If/When.
Jeff, this is a real keeper - thanks. There are some similarities in what you suggest for cognitive arousing and what I nailed today called, "Brain Based Development" versus "training", which looks more like the bottom of your chart. What do you think about the notion of "training" as we have used it in business?
Posted by: Ellen Weber | April 30, 2006 8:13 AM | Permalink to Comment