Version control is a critical aspect of managing shared content components in DITA manufacturing documentation. It ensures that content remains consistent, up-to-date, and accurate across various documents and product variations. Here’s how version control is applied:

Versioning Components

In DITA, content components, such as topics and modules, are assigned version numbers to track changes and updates. When a content component is modified, its version number is incremented. This versioning allows content contributors to know which is the latest version of a particular component. Manufacturing organizations can also maintain a history of changes, which is essential for auditing and tracking the evolution of content.

Content Branching

Manufacturing documentation often requires multiple variations, such as different product models or regional versions. Version control systems enable the creation of content branches. These branches allow for the development of content specific to a particular product model or market. Changes made in one branch can be merged into others if applicable, ensuring consistency across product variants while accommodating unique requirements.

Example:

Here’s an example of how version control is applied to a shared DITA content component:

<topic id="assembly_instructions">
  <title>Assembly Instructions</title>
  <version>2.1</version>
  <content>...

In this example, an assembly instructions topic has been updated to version 2.1, indicating a recent revision. The history of changes and previous versions is typically maintained in the version control system, allowing content contributors to review and access prior versions if needed.