Technical communicators view DITA as an essential standard of XML because it is easier to learn and provides better support for reuse than older standards like DocBook and S1000D. Drawing on insights from previous documentation failures, a team of top IBM engineers created DITA. The purpose of this new standard was to promote reuse and compatibility between large groups of authors with varying technical backgrounds and practical concerns. Another goal was to meet specific writer needs while reducing the learning curve.
Understanding the essential features of DITA prepares you to choose the best subset of elements for your needs and may help you rethink some of your old practices. The result is that you will find better ways to organize, create, update, and reuse your content.
Our DITA Basics training includes the following topics: