What role does content reuse play in DITA adoption within the aerospace industry?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Content reuse is a pivotal element in the adoption of DITA within the aerospace industry, offering a robust approach to managing complex and interrelated documentation. DITA allows for the creation of reusable content modules, significantly enhancing the efficiency and consistency of aerospace documentation.

Example: Let’s consider the documentation of a common component like an aircraft engine, which appears across various aircraft models. In DITA, a dedicated content module for the aircraft engine can be created. This module encapsulates all relevant information about the engine, such as specifications, maintenance procedures, and troubleshooting guides.

<!-- Example of a DITA content module for aircraft engines -->
<topic id="aircraft-engine">
  <title>Aircraft Engine</title>
  <body>
    <section id="specifications">
      <title>Specifications</title>
      <p>The aircraft engine specifications are as follows: ...</p>
      <table>
        <!-- Engine specifications table here -->
      </table>
    </section>
    <section id="maintenance">
      <title>Maintenance</title>
      <p>Proper maintenance of the aircraft engine is critical for its performance and longevity...</p>
      <ol>
        <li>Perform regular inspections.</li>
        <li>Check for oil leaks.</li>
        <!-- More maintenance procedures here -->
      </ol>
    </section>
    <section id="troubleshooting">
      <title>Troubleshooting</title>
      <p>If the engine encounters problems, use this guide for troubleshooting...</p>
      <ol>
        <li>If the engine won't start, check the fuel supply.</li>
        <li>If there is excessive noise, inspect for loose components.</li>
        <!-- More troubleshooting steps here -->
      </ol>
    </section>
  </body>
</topic>

This modular approach allows aerospace documentarians to include the aircraft engine module in documentation for different aircraft models. When there are updates or changes to the engine specifications or maintenance procedures, they can be made in a single location and automatically propagate to all instances where this module is used, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

Overall, content reuse is central to DITA adoption in aerospace documentation, as it streamlines the management of intricate, interconnected content and minimizes manual effort, contributing to the industry’s rigorous standards of quality and precision.