These web pages provide an outline to Multimedia Pathways: A Development Methodology for Interactive Multimedia and Online Products for Education and Training which Impart Corporation has developed as part of its R&D activity. Multimedia Pathways, authored by Cathie Sherwood, Bruce Hodgen, Terry Rout and Michael Crock of Griffith University, is based on a matrix which encapsulates key categories of activity in the six major phases of interactive multimedia development - Initiation, Specifications, Design, Production, Review and Evaluation, and Delivery and Implementation.

The Manual will give you an introductory Overview, outline the Key Features, show the Activities within the Matrix, and the Work Products documentation framework for each of those six phases.

Templates provides further descriptions relating to the Work Products and example templates can be viewed.

Multimedia Pathways aims to incorporate the best attributes of traditional software development methodologies (including extensive quality assurance considerations), the rapid prototyping development cycles of emerging interactive multimedia initiatives and the creative talents of media designers and artists. The methodology is, in effect, an innovative utilisation and organisation of a blend of existing and emerging disciplines.

Multimedia Pathways provides a framework that can be integrated within an organisation's current development of quality interactive multimedia resources for education and training. The use of this framework is intended to support multimedia developers in their endeavours to extend their capabilities and enhance their expertise in the delivery of courses into online and other multimedia environments. It can also be used as a resource to assist those who are outsourcing the development of their training to multimedia developers.

Multimedia Pathways is aligned with ISO 9001 and more importantly with ISO 12 207. This means that multimedia development organisations pursuing ISO accreditation can do so based on Multimedia Pathways. Impart has mapped the methodology to these ISO standards. The methodology provides a benchmark that will facilitate quality improvement and increased efficiency in organisations engaged, or intending to engage, in the specifications, design, production, evaluation and implementation of interactive resource-based education and training. Multimedia Pathways is also compatible with AICC standards.

Multimedia Pathways is not a prescriptive step-by-step methodology but a resource of processes and strategies of which all, or part, can be accessed depending upon the needs and nature of the interactive multimedia initiative.

It is Impart's intention to update the methodology at regular intervals so it remains relevant, valid and reflects technological change. Updates will be made available via this web site.

Impart Corporation Pty Ltd, P O Box 1015, BRISBANE QLD 4001
Tel: 07 3221 2957 Fax: 07 3221 7986 E-mail: impart@impart.com.au