The more YES answers you give to the following questions, the more you should think about single-sourcing your documents. 1) Do you need to deliver the same content on different platforms (printed books, web pages, PDF on-line or distributed on CDs, application help-files, broadcasting to cell-phones and PDAs, etc.)? 2) Do you need to deliver documentation on different models/versions of the same product? Or different products with similar specs? 3) Does your content need to be translated into other languages? 4) Are you documenting a product with modular components that can be put together by the end user in different combinations? For example, a furniture set, or a security access software/hardware system? 5) Do you have end users with different qualifications or needs who need access to similar (if not identical) content, adjusted according to their specific needs? For example, a User Guide delivered to novice users as well as experienced power users? Or, an environmental cleaning system installation guide that will be submitted to the dealers who will install the system as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (or perhaps Agencies in more than one countries)? 6) Does your content need to be accesses by physically-challenged end users? For example, do blind users need to "read" (i.e., listen to) your documentation? 7) Do you need to update your content frequently on several different platforms? 8) Does your organization have different departments (Development, HR, Marketing, Shipping, Client Services, Training, Accounting, Legal, Publications, etc.) that need to use the same product and process information in their communications in order not to create confusion when any changes are made? ---------------------------------------------------------- |
