This week, SDL introduced a new content maturity model, a way of looking at how to implement structured documentation inside an organization. The model looks at ways to get an XML content management approach to building documentation, one that lets companies with lots of documentation build manuals from a database of common pieces, rather than one deliberately written chapter by chapter.

As part of this launch, SDL also announced new versions of two of their structured content products, SDL Trisoft and SDL LiveContent. For many companies, even though there are clear benefits to a structured content approach, moving from an unstructured one is not always an easy undertaking in a large organization where structure content can reap the most benefits.

Emily Mydlowski, who is manager of user experience and information design (UXID) at HACH Company certainly has had that experience. "We have found that moving into structured content has been a journey," Mydlowski said. But she added it was worth the effort in the end. "We have already gained tremendous improvements in time-to-market from structured content, and we are now exploring how we can expand content sharing more broadly in the company," she said. 

She's not alone. Many companies are trying to go the structured route, but have had issues getting the initiative implemented widely in the organization. SDL hopes that by providing some additional resources to help companies implement this type of documentation approach, they can help other organizations achieve the benefits.

For more:
- see the content maturity model press release

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