Use eigencontent to quickly iterate content systems
Eigencontent is a set of small content-like bits that represent real content. (It comes from the term “eigenvalue” for you math geeks.) You can make an eigencontent by identifying the real information conveyed and/or function of a content item. For instance, if I have a page on a website that goes on and on about the pros, cons and history of grape popsicles, and has a form where a user can order a grape popsicle, the first eigencontent would be “education about grape popsicles” and the second eigencontent would be “grape popsicle order form”. If you’re working on a finer level of detail, you might use “grape popsicles turn your tongue purple” and a set of other succinct versions of the facts that need to be conveyed. Go for the simplest, smallest unit you need, so you can build a big eigencontent map and move everything around easily to see what your larger content system should be like.
