Engaging subject matter experts (SMEs) and agricultural researchers in DITA-based agricultural content reviews is essential for ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the documentation. To facilitate effective collaboration with SMEs and researchers, specific guidelines and practices can be implemented within the DITA framework.

Early Involvement

One key guideline is to involve SMEs and researchers early in the content creation process. This allows them to provide input and expertise from the outset, ensuring that the content aligns with the latest research findings and industry best practices. DITA allows for the inclusion of SMEs as authors or contributors to specific topics, making it easy to identify and involve subject matter experts in the review process.

Clear Review Processes

Establishing clear review processes is another important practice. DITA enables the definition of review workflows, specifying roles and responsibilities for reviewers. Guidelines can be created within DITA maps or topics to outline the criteria for evaluation. This clarity ensures that SMEs and researchers understand their roles and the specific aspects they need to review, such as scientific accuracy, data integrity, or compliance with agricultural standards.

Example:

Here’s an example illustrating how DITA can incorporate SMEs and researchers in the review process:

<topic id="crop-disease-management">
  <title>Crop Disease Management</title>
  <author>John Smith, Agricultural Researcher</author>
  <contributor>Maria Lopez, Plant Pathologist</contributor>
  <last-modified>2023-11-25</last-modified>
  <content>...
  <review-process>
    <step role="SME-review">Maria Lopez reviews the content for accuracy in disease management strategies.</step>
    <step role="Researcher-review">John Smith ensures that the latest research findings are reflected in the document.</step>
  </review-process>

In this example, DITA XML includes information about authors, contributors, and a defined review process. Maria Lopez and John Smith, both experts in their fields, are involved in the review process with specific roles, ensuring the content is rigorously reviewed and aligned with agricultural expertise.