Organizations can define custom review and approval processes for DITA maps to align with their specific needs, standards, and workflows, allowing for tailored content evaluation and validation.

The flexibility of DITA workflows enables organizations to establish custom review and approval processes that cater to their unique requirements. This involves customized workflows, stages and participants, specific criteria, and tools and automation.

Customized Workflows

The flexibility of DITA workflows enables organizations to establish custom review and approval processes that cater to their unique requirements. This involves customized workflows, stages and participants, specific criteria, and tools and automation.

Customized Workflows

DITA provides a framework for creating customized workflows. Organizations can design review and approval processes that match their content creation and publishing needs. This involves defining the stages, participants, and criteria for review and approval.

Stages and Participants

Custom processes can include multiple stages, each with its own set of participants. For example, a DITA map may go through technical review, subject matter expert review, and final editorial approval. Each stage involves different stakeholders, such as technical writers, engineers, and senior editors.

Specific Criteria

Custom processes can define specific criteria for evaluating DITA maps. These criteria may include compliance with style guides, accuracy of technical information, and alignment with branding guidelines. The organization can establish clear guidelines for what each stage should assess.

Tools and Automation

To facilitate custom review and approval processes, organizations can utilize content management systems and workflow management tools. These tools can automate the flow of content through various stages, notify reviewers and approvers, and provide a structured environment for feedback and decision-making.

Example

An aerospace company has specific requirements for documenting its complex engineering processes using DITA. They’ve established a custom review and approval process that involves three stages: technical review, subject matter expert review, and safety compliance review. In the technical review stage, technical writers review the DITA map for structural consistency and adherence to the company’s style guide. Subject matter experts then examine the map for technical accuracy and completeness in the second stage. Finally, the safety compliance team evaluates the map for adherence to safety standards. At each stage, specific criteria are used to evaluate the content, and different sets of stakeholders are involved. The process is facilitated by a content management system that automates content flow, notifies participants, and logs feedback. This custom review and approval process ensures that the aerospace company’s DITA maps meet their stringent requirements before publication.