June 28, 2004 © 2004 IBM Corporation
The Lifecycle of DITA Content
The end-to-end processing of DITA content from information design to output delivery
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation2d
Agenda
Overview: Information Development Lifecycle and DITA – John Hunt, IBM
Case Study: DITA User’s Guide – Michael Priestley, IBM
Case Study: User Online Help for the end-user products – France Baril, IXIASOFT
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation3d
Information Development Lifecycle
DesignInformation
DevelopmentDelivery
Who
What
Information architect
Writer, editor Production specialist, Page designer
Illustrator, Indexer
Audience analysis, Scenarios, Task Analysis
Topic content, Metadata
Outputs: PDF, XHTML, Help, Translation packages…
When
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation4d
Design Phase: Information Model and Architecture
DitaMaps- Hierarchies-Rel Tables
Task Model:Identify tasks,
sequences, hierarchies,relate to user goals
Map other content:Concept, Reference
Audience Analysis:Experience Levels,
Roles, Responsibilities,
Skills
Usage Scenarios:Realistic, useful,
complete, specific,coordinated,
accurate
Task Analysis and Information Model
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation5d
Information Development Phase
WriteDITA Topics:
Task, Concept, Reference
Specialized types
Add Filters/FlagsMetadata attributes
.DITA topic files.DITAmaps
Indexing
Editing
Review
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Information Delivery PhaseEclipse help
JavaHelp
HTMLHelp
Web pages
Books
PDFtopics maps
Topics Maps Outputs
Produce outputs Package information for translation Validate content, adding copyrights and trademarks Add summary tables Implement page designs and styles
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation7d
Next – The Case Studies
DITA User’s Guide – Michael Priestley, IBM
Online Help for end-user products – France Baril, IXIASOFT
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation8d
Summary of Roles and Processes
TopicsMaps OutputsProcesses
DTDs
Type architect
WriterInformation architect
Build person Information designer
Design Develop Deliver
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation9d
User goals and user roles - a user-driven process
User goals Roles
Scenarios Personas
Tutorials andsamples
Skills
Information development
Task flows
Relationships
Concept map
Road maps
Role hierarchy
Dynamic help
Topics Role definitions
Elements Filter/flag
Informationmodel
Topic content
Scenariomaterials
Goal definition
Tutorial tests
Usability tests
Feedback
Tech support
User feedback
Lifecycle of DITA Content © 2004 IBM Corporation10d
Extending the process across component and product boundaries
Scenarios
Models
Content
Component
Scenarios
Models
Content
Component
Scenarios
Models
Content
Component
Scenarios
Models
Content
Product
Scenarios
Models
Content
Solution
Scenarios
Models
Content
Product