Why is content reuse important in technical documentation?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Content reuse is a fundamental concept in technical documentation, providing numerous benefits to authors, organizations, and readers alike. It involves creating and managing content modules that can be used in multiple contexts, reducing duplication of effort and ensuring consistency across documentation.

Efficiency and Consistency

One of the primary advantages of content reuse is the efficiency it brings to the documentation process. Authors can create reusable content modules for common topics, such as product specifications, terminology, or troubleshooting steps. These modules can then be incorporated into various documents without rewriting the same information. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency in messaging and reduces the risk of errors or discrepancies in documentation.

Update and Maintenance

Content reuse simplifies the process of updating and maintaining documentation. When a change is required, authors can update the source content module, and the changes automatically propagate to all instances where the module is used. This approach ensures that all documentation remains up-to-date and accurate, reducing the likelihood of outdated information being circulated. It also streamlines the review and approval process, as changes need to be reviewed and approved once in the source module.

Example:

Here’s an example of how content reuse can be implemented in DITA XML:


<topic id="product_specifications">
  <title>Product Specifications</title>
  <body>
    <section>
      <title>Specifications for Product A</title>
      <p>This section contains specifications for Product A.</p>
      <!-- More content specific to Product A -->
    </section>
  </body>
</topic>

<topicref href="product_specifications.dita"/>

In this example, a DITA topic “product_specifications” contains specifications for a product. It can be referenced and reused in multiple documents by simply including the “topicref” element. Any updates made to “product_specifications” will automatically reflect in all documents referencing it.