Living document
Encyclopedia
A living document or dynamic document is a document
which may be continually edited and updated by either a limited or unrestricted group. A simple example of a living document is an article in Wikipedia
, in contrast to "dead" or "static" documents, such as an article in a single edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica
.
A living document may or may not have a framework for updates, changes, or adjustments. This type of document without proper context can change away from its original purpose through multiple uncontrolled edits.
This is different than an evergreen document
that is written in a way that is relevant to a specific audience over a long period of time. This relevance comes from a universal acceptance or application of document contents.
However, a living document may evolve through updates, be expanded as needed, and serve a different purpose over time. Living documents are changed through revisions that may or may not reference previous iterative changes. The rate of document decay depends on the structure of the original document, or original intent of such document, or guidelines for modifying such document.
or be shared among a team. It may start as a draft work that at some time graduates into general acceptance, or may originate as part of a formal documentation process. Regardless of the degree of formality, a living document needs rules or guidelines for its modification. Such guidelines allow — and should ideally encourage — the document's evolution over time. It is in this sense of growth that the document can be thought of as "living."
Document
The term document has multiple meanings in ordinary language and in scholarship. WordNet 3.1. lists four meanings :* document, written document, papers...
which may be continually edited and updated by either a limited or unrestricted group. A simple example of a living document is an article in Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its 20 million articles have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. Almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site,...
, in contrast to "dead" or "static" documents, such as an article in a single edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
.
A living document may or may not have a framework for updates, changes, or adjustments. This type of document without proper context can change away from its original purpose through multiple uncontrolled edits.
This is different than an evergreen document
Evergreen document
An evergreen document is a document written in a way that is relevant to a specific audience over a long period of time. This relevance comes from a universal acceptance or application of document contents....
that is written in a way that is relevant to a specific audience over a long period of time. This relevance comes from a universal acceptance or application of document contents.
However, a living document may evolve through updates, be expanded as needed, and serve a different purpose over time. Living documents are changed through revisions that may or may not reference previous iterative changes. The rate of document decay depends on the structure of the original document, or original intent of such document, or guidelines for modifying such document.
In business
In business a living document may fall under corporate change managementChange management
Change management is a structured approach to shifting/transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. It is an organizational process aimed at helping employees to accept and embrace changes in their current business environment....
or be shared among a team. It may start as a draft work that at some time graduates into general acceptance, or may originate as part of a formal documentation process. Regardless of the degree of formality, a living document needs rules or guidelines for its modification. Such guidelines allow — and should ideally encourage — the document's evolution over time. It is in this sense of growth that the document can be thought of as "living."