Content Transformation

Definition

Content Transformation

the content management task during which published content is transformed to the format specifically required for certain clients

Classification

As illustrated in the preceding figure, Content Transformation is part of the following inheritance hierarchy:

• Type: Concrete
• Superclass: Task
• Subclasses:
  • None

Responsibilities

The typical responsibilities of Content Transformation are to:

• Transform HTML webpages to WML for transmission to wireless clients (e.g., smart phones, PDAs) with limited screen space, memory, and computational power.
• Transform content to XML for transmission to external applications.

Preconditions

Content transformation typically can begin when the following preconditions hold:

• The construction phase has started.
• The initial conventions for content transformation (e.g., guidelines, standards) have been produced during the process engineering activity.
• The following documents are largely complete and are relatively stable:
  • System Requirements Specification
  • Information Architecture Document
  • Database Design Document
  • Human Interface Design Document
• The content management team has been adequately staffed and trained in content transformation.

Completion Criteria

Content transformation is typically complete when the following postconditions hold:

• The retirement phase has started.

Steps

Content transformation typically involves the following teams performing the following steps in an iterative, incremental, parallel, and time-boxed manner:

• Content Management Team:
  • Determine the need for content transformation by reading and understanding the associated:
    • Informational (data) requirements in the:
      • System Requirements Specification
    • Information architecture:
      • Information Architecture Document
    • Content design:
      • Database Design Document
      • Human Interface Design Document
  • TBD

Techniques

Content transformation typically can be performed using the following techniques:

• Scripting
• Middleware technologies

Work Products

Content transformation typically results in the production of the following work products:

• data components:
  • Transformed Content:
    • Textual content.
    • Numerical content.
    • Audio content.
    • Graphical content.
    • Video content.
  • Content Metadata

Guidelines

• Content transformation should be performed iteratively, incrementally, and in parallel with other content management tasks.
• Content transformation occurs on an as needed basis.
• Content transformation is automated, typically by means of scripts or middleware.
• The transformed content may be cached for future use.
• Content transformation may not be necessary content is only intended for a single client type.