Ensuring consistent terminology across manufacturing documents in DITA is critical to avoid confusion and maintain document quality. Several strategies are employed to achieve this goal:

1. Customized Glossaries

Manufacturers can create customized glossaries using DITA. These glossaries contain industry-specific terms, abbreviations, and definitions. Each term is defined in a dedicated DITA topic, ensuring a consistent understanding of the terminology across documents.

2. Linking and Referencing

DITA allows for easy linking and referencing of glossary terms in documents. By linking to the custom glossaries, writers can ensure that the correct terminology is consistently used throughout their documentation. This method minimizes the chances of inconsistent or incorrect terms appearing in manufacturing documents.

3. Controlled Vocabulary

Manufacturing organizations can establish a controlled vocabulary that mandates the use of specific terms and abbreviations. By enforcing a standardized set of terminology, they ensure that all documents adhere to consistent language, enhancing the clarity and accuracy of content.

Example:

Here’s an example of a DITA-controlled vocabulary:

<controlled-vocabulary>
  <term id="cnc">CNC</term>
  <term id="plc">PLC</term>
  <term id="bom">Bill of Materials</term>

In this example, a DITA-controlled vocabulary is established for manufacturing terminology. It defines specific terms and their accepted abbreviations, ensuring consistency in document language.