DITA XML

Four Principles of Minimalism Principle One—Focus on an action-oriented approach Principle Two—Ensure you understand the users' world Principle Three—Recognize the importance of troubleshooting information Principle Four—Ensure that users can find the information they need

Even when individuals seek to understand how a product works, they intend to use that information to accomplish a task. For that reason, information developers provide procedures in documentation. The more effectively these procedures address real tasks that people want to perform, the more successful they are in meeting user needs.

Too often, information developers, isolated from understanding their users, try to compensate by explaining the product interface, leaving the user to figure out how to get results alone.

Each organization has an obligation to reinforce sound technical communication or similar principles by constraining their models. Groups that foster a "free-for-all" by telling writers to use their DITA tools any way they like are actually fostering chaos.