Version control and change tracking are crucial aspects of geological documentation when using DITA. They provide mining organizations with the ability to manage and monitor revisions, ensuring that geological information remains accurate, compliant, and up-to-date.

Version Control

In DITA, version control allows geological documentation to have a clear and structured history of changes. Each topic or module can include version information, making it easy to track revisions over time. This is particularly important in the geological field, where data may evolve as new findings emerge or exploration projects progress. With version control, mining organizations can maintain a historical record of geological documentation, helping them understand how information has evolved and ensuring that the latest data is always accessible.

Change Tracking

Change tracking is another vital feature in DITA that aids in geological documentation. It enables mining professionals to identify what specific changes have been made to a document and who made those changes. This level of transparency is essential for accountability and quality control. It allows geological experts to review modifications, verify the accuracy of updates, and ensure that changes align with the latest research findings. Furthermore, change tracking facilitates collaboration among teams working on geological documentation, as it provides a clear mechanism for communication and feedback.

Example:

Here’s an example of how version control and change tracking are implemented in DITA for geological documentation:

<topic id="geological_survey_methods">
  <title>Geological Survey Methods</title>
  <version>1.0</version>
  <last-reviewed>2023-01-15</last-reviewed>
  <reviewed-by>John Doe</reviewed-by>
  <content>...
  <change-history>
    <change date="2023-02-10" author="Jane Smith">Updated survey methods.</change>
    <change date="2023-04-05" author="Mike Johnson">Added new section on data collection.</change>
  </change-history>

In this example, a DITA topic on geological survey methods includes version information, the last review date, and a change history section. The change history lists specific modifications made to the document, including the date and author of each change.