p1053 formally known as ISO/IEC/IEC/IEEE 26531, specifies requirements for the management and reuse of information items within systems and software documentation throughout the product lifecycle. It focuses on structured content models.
Core Concept
The standard establishes a framework for modular content creation, enabling structured authoring and systematic reuse of information components across multiple documents and deliverables. It treats documentation as composed of reusable information items.
Key Specifications
- Modular Authoring: Mandates decomposing documentation into distinct, reusable information units (topics, sections, elements).
- Content Lifecycle Management: Defines processes for creating, identifying, storing, retrieving, and managing reusable information items.
- Reuse Mechanisms: Specifies direct linking, transclusion, content referencing, and variable use for incorporating reusable items dynamically.
- Content Structuring Models: Supports XML-based schema models (like DITA), JSON, or other defined structures for organizing reusable content components.
- Metadata Requirements: Requires attaching classification, relationship, and lifecycle metadata to every reusable information item for effective management.
Scope
Applies to documentation types including requirements specifications, design descriptions, test documentation, user guides, and API documentation.
Implementation Requirements
- Identification System: Unique IDs for each reusable information item.
- Repository: Centralized system or service for storing and managing content items.
- Version Control: Essential for tracking content item evolution.
- Change Notification: Mechanism to alert dependent documents and items about content changes.
Practical Benefit
Enables consistent documentation, reduces duplication, streamlines updates, improves translation efficiency through content reuse, and ensures document integrity via structured relationships.