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Why Structured Content

Why Structured Content

Structuring content eliminates the problem of writing and translating
the same information over and over again.

Without structuring content, organizations have no way to leverage or share information written in one context with another context. This is a critical problem for global organizations that have to use the same information over and over again in different contexts.

For example, information about how to replace a printer cartridge or change a battery in a mobile device may need to be published on a company’s website, in a support center and in its technical documentation. Furthermore, the same information may be identical or nearly identical across a company’s various printer lines.

Without structuring content, that information either has to be rewritten multiple times or cut and pasted manually from one context to another. Either approach is costly and leads to inconsistency in information presented to customers.

Below is an example of the complexity of managing multiple topics, versions and revisions.

Why Structured Content
Why Structured Content

Structuring content eliminates the problem of writing and translating
the same information over and over again.

Business Benefits
Business Benefits

Businesses that structure content properly are realizing enormous cost savings, efficiency gains and business benefits.

Commercial Standards/DITA
Commercial Standards/DITA

To take advantage of the benefits of structured content, most organizations today
are adopting one of the XML standards that have been developed to make adoption easier.

Aerospace/Defense Standards
Aerospace/Defense Standards

Standards such as S1000D, MIL-SPEC and ATA iSpec 2200 are being used for civil and defense aviation documentation around the globle.

Custom XML Standards
Custom XML Standards

Before such XML standards were available, organizations had to develop their own XML standard called a “custom DTD.”

Where Do I Start
Where Do I Start

The adoption of structured authoring is an education process that involves people, process and technology changes.