Content formats and why they matter. A lot

If Learning can change things, then how do you do it? I have some trusty models that I always come back to. One of them is content formats. I use this model when discussing knowledge ecosystems together with customers.

I like to think of my content formats as cod wheels, spinning in a well-oiled machinery – when working at their best. This is them now turning and spinning in the all-surrounding Wheel of Communication. More on that in a future post.

The value of understanding content formats is threefold:

?? Choosing what format to produce, distribute, and maintain could save you lots of time and money.

?? Content can be reused as new formats to fit new users and needs

?? Correct content formats improve purpose and relevance for its users.

I work with three content formats – defined by the type of questions they answer.

Information

This content answers questions that can be answered by reading, looking, or listening. Information is mostly relatively cheap to produce and maintain. And well suited for manuals, instructions, and the like.

Use information content as much as you can! If relevant, structured, easy to find and correct, everyone will love it!

Support

This content guides or help. For example, after having tried fifty times to connect a Bluetooth device. The costs for support can be steep if the organization is unable to use information. Very common – not that hard to fix.

Use support only when information doesn’t do the job.

Learning

Learning content finally improves knowledge and skills. To change, strengthen and evolve. Learning can become very expensive when replicated from information or support. So many learning portals are packed with “learning content” that easily can be found in a SharePoint site next door.

Use learning to change, strengthen and evolve. Information or support disguised as learning is boring, contra productive and as said - VERY expensive. ?

Ok, short on content formats! Four things to take with you into your own organization

?? Don’t duplicate! Reuse!

?? Content is relevance and purpose driven – use it accordingly!

?? Teach how to learn, how to search, how to ask questions. Most adults want to do a good job – let them!

Thank you for time.

If you want more – reach out and we’ll talk!