I'm currently looking for Information Mapping software to begin development of training materials. So far I've found two products that have caught my eye. One is called "Formatting Solutions Pro" from www.infomap.com and the other is called "Docutools" from www.p-t-a.com.
Has anyone used either of these programs for info mapping, or have any other suggestions for other programs or solutions? By the way, I'm also aware of leader guide pro, but I don't think that fits my needs exactly.

Thanks in advance for replies!

Jeff

Is it your desire to write documentation or to develop materials in support of the learning experience?

In other words - are you the technical writer on the project or are you the instructional designer?

I think I'm both. I'm both designing and developing training materials (manuals and supporting documents) for a propietary software. I've been a trainer on this software for about 3.5 years and now I'm in charge of redeveloping our whole training program. I took a class from ASTD on designing learning, done the analysis and design, now I'm trying to assemble the tools I need for the development phase.

Thanks!

Jeff

Instructional design does not equal technical writing (although the skill sets certainly complement one another)

I wish they'd include that basic fact in those classes.

If you need documentation for the software, that's a process separate from designing the learning for the learners. Now, that is not to say you cannot/should not take advantage of technical documentation that is produced for the software. It is, however, imperative to understand that designing learning does not equal writing tech doc.

LoveLearning, Thanks for replying again. I think I understand your first question a little better now, and I think I should have said that my primary goal is designing the learning for our software. Forgive my newness to this subject.

I'm not exactly clear how what you're saying about technical writing vs. designing learning relates to the inquiry about Information Mapping. Are you suggesting that Information Mapping methodologies are more applicable to one or the other? I was under the impression, that Information Mapping can and should be used when developing user manuals and any other document to support learning. And as I recall, the ASTD training that I attended had a training manual that used these techniques. Am I wrong?

Thanks again for your insight (and anyone else who wants to weigh in)

Jeff