The value of structured data depends on your perspective.
| Advantages for the WRITERS | Advantages for the TECH PUBS DEPT | Advantages for the COMPANY | |
| Content Reuse | Create content once and insert/manage updates in all locations used. DITA allows reuse at the element level (paragraph, note, phrase) and allows variable content down to the keyword level. DITA has multi-faceted conditional content, much richer than Frame conditions, but accessible through Framemaker. | Cost savings from automated updates. Reduced time to produce deliverables. Reduced translation word count = faster, less expensive localization. | Reduced risk (more consistent information). Improved customer experience. Less effort to ensure content quality and consistency. Greater productivity = freeing up labor for value-added projects, and more deliverables without increased headcount. |
| Automated Publishing | No time spent formatting content. | No time spent formatting content. | Cost savings from automated publishing. Faster publishing: minutes instead of days. Time and cost savings from not having to manually layout translated documents. Consistent layout. Greater customer satisfaction from making translated publications available sooner. Reduced labor required for formatting backlog of pages manually. |
| Omni-channel, single source publishing | One source can be published to a myriad of media formats, and delivered at the atomic level (individual elements) to specialized applications, such as ZenDesk, SalesForce, self-support websites and apps, chatbots, etc. | Saves time and labor by avoiding manually copying / pasting / tracking content between documents and other media such as Touch Point or Telematics. | Increases productivity by allowing automation to take the manual work out of omni-channel delivery. |
| Semantic elements and rich metadata (content fragments are given meaningful names, such as step, cmd, uicontrol, tutorialinfo, hazardstatement, msgblock, etc.) | Makes finding and managing content fragments and digital assets much easier. Especially helpful for organizations working with large numbers of binary image, video, and other media assets automated index creation. | Difficulty in finding binary assets often leads to duplication, which leads to more time spent trying to find the right image for the right content. Personalized content. Much of the automation relies on the rich semantics, such as creating multiple deliverable types without filtering. | Improved search and “intelligent content” for a richer user experience. Automated creation of delivery web site platforms, based on semantics and taxonomy. |
| Localization | – | – | Faster translation. Greater accuracy of ICE matches with TM. Just-in-time translation = faster time to market. Simpler translation (no conversion from FM to MIF to FM). With CMS, only changed topics need to be translated. |
| Review | Topic level review allows for faster review of changed content only. With CMS, workflow can automate review and track status of projects more easily. | CMS and web-based tools allow SMEs to contribute content directly. | Greater content collaboration across the enterprise. |
| Explicit structure | Greater consistency. In DITA, content is structured according to information type using principles of Information Mapping (task, reference, glossary, concept, machinerytask, troubleshooting, etc.). | Structure combined with semantic elements serves as an authoring aid to create consistent patterns in content. | Frees writers from focusing on formatting, yielding greater productivity. Improved user experience through well organized and consistency. Reduced editing time for style and structure consistency. |
| Map-based organization of topics into publication components | Unlike Frame books and chapter files, DITA is authored in discrete topics which can be organized into modules (chapters, sections, subsections) using a content map. | Allows easier project management and collaboration. Assign modular components within the same project to various authors. Discrete modules can be submitted for review while other modules are being worked. | – |
| XML enables interchange of content with other systems | XML-based authoring allows for reuse of information from ERP, parts systems, etc., making the authoring of repair and parts documentation easier and less error prone. | Data can be taken directly from engineering and supply chain and used in technical content. | ERP and parts information can be more readily published as interactive parts catalogs, etc., for customers and dealers. Can drive e-commerce transactions. Can be linked directly to supporting documentation. |
