How are content recommendations and related topics implemented in aerospace documentation portals with DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Content recommendations and related topics are implemented in aerospace documentation portals using DITA to enhance user experience and access to relevant information. This approach helps users easily discover related content and find what they need efficiently. Here’s how it’s achieved:

1. Key Information Links: In DITA, documents are structured with links to related topics, creating a network of interconnected content. For example, within a maintenance document, relevant procedures, safety guidelines, and equipment specifications are linked to each other. When a user views a specific topic, they can easily navigate to related information by following these embedded links.

2. Content Recommendations: Aerospace documentation portals can use DITA to incorporate recommendation algorithms that suggest relevant topics to users based on their current context and search history. These recommendations enhance user engagement by offering additional content that may be of interest. For instance, while reading a document on aircraft maintenance, the portal might suggest related topics such as troubleshooting guides, spare parts catalogs, or safety procedures.

3. Example:

Here’s a simplified DITA XML example that demonstrates how related topics are linked, enhancing navigation within aerospace documentation:

<!-- Example of DITA Related Topics -->
<topic id="maintenance-procedure-a1">
  <title>Maintenance Procedure for Aircraft A1</title>
  <body>
    <p>This topic contains detailed maintenance procedures for Aircraft A1.</p>
    <p>If you encounter any issues during maintenance, refer to the <cross-reference href="troubleshooting-guide-a1.dita"/></p>
  </body>

Here, within the “Maintenance Procedure for Aircraft A1” topic, a link is embedded to the “troubleshooting-guide-a1.dita” topic. This allows users to easily navigate to the relevant troubleshooting guide when needed, creating a seamless and user-friendly experience in aerospace documentation portals.