How do aerospace organizations create responsive and mobile-friendly documentation using DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Aerospace organizations leverage DITA to create responsive and mobile-friendly documentation, catering to the needs of their increasingly mobile workforce. This approach is essential as it enables personnel in the aerospace industry to access critical information on various devices, ensuring efficient and real-time access to crucial data even in the field.

DITA XML supports responsive design principles that allow aerospace organizations to structure their content for dynamic rendering across different screen sizes and orientations. By using responsive design techniques, content can adapt to smartphones, tablets, and desktops, providing a seamless reading experience. This ensures that vital aerospace documentation, such as maintenance procedures or safety guidelines, remains accessible and usable no matter the device being used.

Example:

Here’s an HTML-friendly example showcasing how DITA XML can be structured for responsive design:

<!-- Example of DITA XML for responsive design -->
<topic>
  <title>Aerospace Safety Guidelines</title>
  <body>
    <section id="intro">
      <title>Introduction</title>
      <p>These safety guidelines are designed to ensure the well-being of aerospace personnel.</p>
    </section>
    <section id="procedures">
      <title>Safety Procedures</title>
      <p>Follow these procedures to maintain a safe working environment.</p>
      <steps>
        <step>Step 1: <ph>Wear appropriate safety gear.</ph></step>
        <step>Step 2: <ph>Always double-check equipment.</ph></step>
      </steps>
    </section>
    <section id="mobile">
      <title>Mobile Access</title>
      <p>This document is optimized for mobile devices, ensuring easy access in the field.</p>
    </section>
  </body>
</topic>

With responsive DITA content, aerospace organizations empower their personnel with documentation that seamlessly adapts to different devices, enhancing accessibility and usability in critical situations.