cheaper, faster, better dita implementations, part 1
DESCRIPTION
Tom Voltz from Lasselle-Ramsay presents some of the most important but frequently overlooked architectural aspects of DITA that you can leverage to improve and simplify your DITA adoption process. The right DITA approach will* dramatically decrease training costs* increase consistency and accuracy of your content* simplify your stylesheet customizationProper implementation sets you up for success. Learn how in this first of a two-part series.TRANSCRIPT
Prepared by © 2009 Lasselle-Ramsay
Presented by
Secrets to Cheaper, Faster and Better DITA Implementations
Part 1
Secrets to Cheaper, Faster and Better DITA Implementations
Part 1Presenter from Lasselle-Ramsay
Tom Voltz
Welcome!Welcome!
• Today’s event is being recorded – link available in follow-up email
• Use Q&A panel to submit questions for Q&A session• Full screen view available for slides
Our PresentersOur Presenters
Joan LassellePresident
Tom VoltzTechnology Consultant
Lasselle-Ramsay Industry ExpertiseLasselle-Ramsay Industry Expertise
27 years supporting Fortune 100 clients with their content infrastructure
Overview for TodayOverview for Today
• DITA done wrong and done right• What does it mean to do DITA right?• What makes DITA different?• Compare two approaches to implementing DITA• Why the “Right Way” is Cheaper, Better, and Faster*
*most of the time
Poll – Using DITA Poll – Using DITA
Yes No
Question: Are you currently using DITA?
Poll – Pilot vs. Production Poll – Pilot vs. Production
Pilot Production N/A
Question: If currently using DITA, which phase are you in?
Poll – Specializing Poll – Specializing
Less than 25% Less than 50% Less than 75% 100%
Question: If using DITA, what percentage have you specialized?
Signs DITA is Done WrongSigns DITA is Done Wrong
• Long learning curve• Lots of resistance• Lack of semantic richness• Inconsistent content• Difficult reuse• Extensive training required
… in other words, it costs more, takes longer, and quality suffers!
When DITA is Done RightWhen DITA is Done Right
• Easy for authors to learn• Content is richer• Content structure is consistent
between authors• Content is easier to reuse• Value of writers increases
… in other words, it’s cheaper, faster, and better!
What does it mean to do DITA right?What does it mean to do DITA right?
• Hide unnecessary complexity• Use a customized toolset• Don’t just use “DITA out of the box”
Hide Unnecessary ComplexityHide Unnecessary Complexity
Do you need to understand this… to do this?
Burger, Burger, Fries — Done WrongBurger, Burger, Fries — Done Wrong
Burger, Burger, Fries — Done RightBurger, Burger, Fries — Done Right
Burger, Burger, Fries — SpecializedBurger, Burger, Fries — Specialized
• Simpler training• Faster entry• Higher accuracy• Easier changes• More accessible
information for new users– Instantly notify the kitchen
– Track your inventory
– Track hourly trends
What Makes DITA Different?What Makes DITA Different?
• DITA Open Toolkit?
• Topic Based Architecture for Content
• Specialization
Yes, that DarwinYes, that Darwin
• The DITA architecture was inspired by Darwin’s concepts of
– Inheritance and
– Specialization
Instead of this
You can create this
What is Specialization?What is Specialization?
<topic><title>Feature: Sortable List Items</title><topicbody><p>Now you can sort the items in a list by just dragging them with the mouse…</p>
<feature><title>Sortable List Items</title><featurebody><marketing_description>Now you can sort the items in a list by just dragging them with the mouse…</p>
What is Specialization?What is Specialization?
Specialization Lets YouSpecialization Lets You
• Hide unnecessary complexity• Create domain specific markup• Create richer, more meaningful and more useful content• Create content that is consistent in form and function
Seeing is BelievingSeeing is Believing
• Example of writing something using “out of the box” DITA vs. a specialization.
• Task– Write a set of FAQs for the new product
– Deliver as HTML for web team
“Out of the Box” DITA“Out of the Box” DITA
• Everything You Need!• And Everything You
Don’t Need!
Compare Two ApproachesCompare Two Approaches
• Pilot Project– 10 writers will use the system
– 2 writers to work with team during pilot
• Joe - priority is to get an early win, and proof of concept working end to end.
• Mary - focus on initial analysis and include specialization and tool tweaking as part of the pilot.
EffortEffort
Mary
Joe
Units of Labor
Content Analysis
Training Development
Training Delivery
Specialization
And Don’t ForgetAnd Don’t Forget
Joe’s team has this Mary’s team has this
Poll – TrainingPoll – Training
Yes No We didn’t receive training N/A
Question: When your organization adopted DITA, were you sufficiently trained?
Specialization MythsSpecialization Myths
Specialization MythsSpecialization Myths
Myth 1
Myth 2
Myth 3
Myth 4
Myth 5
Only specialize if we have to
Use specialization to extend existing types
We’ll be stranded
It’s too difficult
We won’t be able to support it
BenefitsBenefits
Secrets to Cheaper, Faster and Better DITA Implementations: Part 2Secrets to Cheaper, Faster and Better DITA Implementations: Part 2
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
How to construct a DITA specialization architecture for a documentation set
Questions and Next StepsQuestions and Next Steps
www.justsystems.com
1-866-793-1542