Challenge

The most obvious challenge of beginning a document conversion from linear to non-linear, is reorganizing the information. Web design experts focus on the hierarchy of Web sites as the most obvious non-linear organization. Farkas and Farkas state in Web Design: Theory and Principles:

The hierarchy... is the most prevalent of the information structures. In a hierarchy, users very often navigate downward from the top node, the home page, to deeper levels (from "parent" node to "child" node). Other information structures include the linear sequence, the multipath sequence, the web, and the matrix.

Solution

Only after analyzing the nature of the communication can a designer or writer determine the best non-linear information structure to utilize. As the information planner, evaluate the content of the document before deciding which information structure best fits the organization. Identify modular pieces of information and text that depends on other prerequisite content. Site diagrams can assist in reorganizing for a non-linear document. Site diagrams visually represent the links and nodes of information and provide a "map" of your web site. Use site diagrams to plan the information architecture and navigation of information.

The Qpass® corporate web site shows a site diagram to help users find the information they want. The Qpass site diagram does a good job of visually depicting the different hierarchy levels in a simple and readable format.

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