Design of complex information

This paper addresses the issues surrounding analysis and design which supports developing web-based information for use in situations which require supporting multiple levels of audience knowledge and ability. Firmly focused on communicating information, it addresses the analysis and design of information content requirements for systems that assemble customized information; a communication possibility that has only recently become possible on a practical scale. It develops a five element model (situation, user, user goals, information needs, system). It builds an argument stressing the need to analyze and design for user goals and information needs within the situational context in order to maximize communication with the user.