How do automotive organizations manage variations of content for different vehicle trim levels, accessories, and markets using DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Managing variations of content for different vehicle trim levels, accessories, and markets is a critical aspect of automotive documentation, and DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) provides effective tools and techniques to address this complexity efficiently.

Conditional Processing

Conditional processing in DITA is a key mechanism for managing content variations. Technical writers can define conditions based on attributes such as vehicle trim levels, model years, or target markets. For example, if a document needs to include instructions specific to a premium trim level or a particular market’s regulations, conditional elements are used to include or exclude content as needed. This ensures that documentation remains concise while accommodating diverse audiences and product configurations.

Attributes and Metadata

DITA relies on attributes and metadata to manage content variations. Metadata can include information about vehicle models, configurations, and other relevant factors. Attributes like @audience, @product, or @platform can be used to categorize and filter content. By assigning appropriate metadata and attributes to topics, organizations can ensure that the right content is delivered to the right audience, improving user experience and compliance.

Example:

Here’s an example of how DITA manages content variations:


<topic id="tire_maintenance">
  <title>Tire Maintenance</title>
  <body>
    <p>This section provides instructions for tire maintenance.</p>
    <topicmeta>
      <metadata>
        <category>Trim Level: Premium</category>
        <category>Market: Europe</category>
      </metadata>
    </topicmeta>
    <step audience="Premium" product="Sedan">
      <p>For premium trim levels, use high-performance tires.</p>
    </step>
    <step audience="Standard" product="Sedan">
      <p>Standard trim levels require regular tire maintenance.</p>
    </step>
  </body>

In this DITA topic, metadata specifies the trim level and market, while conditional steps include instructions tailored to premium and standard trim levels of a sedan. The content is delivered based on the specified attributes, ensuring that readers receive information relevant to their vehicle’s configuration.