Hari Srinivas
	Management Tools Series E-089. June 2015.

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The current process of delivery of information to the end user (and the construct of knowledge in the user therein) is essentially linear. A programme or project - based on a framework of desired outcomes and mandates - develops a set of outputs, which is then delivered to the end-user.

The Linear Model

Much of this is rarely evaluated or monitored to see if the user has actually utilized the outputs, or even analyzing what is it the user really wants or needs. Sometimes, the evaluation process may be lopsided to show only the 'desired' results.

This is the Linear Model that is essentially static and one-way, though it may contain feedback loops to strengthen the delivery process. The disadvantage of this model is that it rarely takes the dynamic needs of the user into consideration when programmes/projects are developed. While the outputs may be useful, there is no"ownership" and does not always meet the expectations and needs of the user - especially when it is the general public.

An emerging model takes a more dynamic multi-modal approach, and makes intensive use of the outputs of a programme or research project. In this model, outputs of a programme or a series of projects are compiled into a common information-and-knowledge 'pool'. The pool can contain not only resources developed by the different projects, but also external resources available on the internet. This is then reorganized and patterned into a set of clusters that deal with different, but related topics and themes.

The Cross-Linked Model

The clustered themes reflect the planned outputs of the project, but may not necessarily be exactly the same or may not follow the themes of the projects that generated the information. It enables a broader range of themes to be delivered to the end user. If constructed properly, it also enables this mix-and-match to actually be done at the users' end, further enhancing its usability and adaptability.

This is the Cross-Linked Model. The advantage of this approach is that it enables a broader range of themes and issues to be clustered together into new themes and issues, before being delivered to, or constructed by, the end-user.

Due to the broader approach and clustering, the user will be in a better position to find and identify himself/herself with a particular theme, and then explore the cross-cutting interlinkages between that theme cluster and other clusters.

This is crucial for a future based on sustainability - the ability to not only understand and advocate one's own position and views, but to understand and appreciate other's positions, that would eventually lead to commonly agreed goals of sustainability.

For this to happen, we need a small modification of the old adage: "Jack of all trades, and Master of none" We do need a Jack-of-all-Trades (i.e. a person who can understand and appreciate all the problems and issues involved - the big picture - with which he or she performs), but also someone who is Master-of-Quite-a-Few (i.e. a person who is well versed in his/her speciality and is also able to articulate it vis-a-vis the big picture), in order to address the myriad challenges of sustainability.

And therein lies the challenge for proper information delivery: to create Jacks (and Jills) of all trade, while making him/her Master of quite a few trades!