Structured data can be defined as a set of organized and identifiable pieces of information. The original underlying benefit of structured data focused on the separation of content from format. The separation enables content to be created independent of the delivery platform or rendering device. In its base form, structured data is represented by the Extensible Markup Language (XML) standard and is used in many specifications (e.g., S1000D, Darwin Information Typing Architecture - DITA, XHTML). The evolution of structured data has led to more benefits beyond the original separation of content from format concept. This evolution has set the foundation for data to exist in a beneficial ecosystem of data management practices.

The structured data benefits include improved metadata, linking, configuration, lifecycle management, content management and data exchange. However, for the Department of Defense (DoD), structured data must be acquired with requirements in mind for benefits to be realized. What must the learning, education and training (LET) community know about acquiring structured data? Can structured data improve a learning content management ecosystem? How can the LET community leverage the evolution of structured data practices to improve content management?

This paper discusses the benefits that can be achieved by acquiring structured data in the LET community. The paper concludes with guidelines for acquiring structured training data and the potential impacts on policy, standards and management.