Now that you've completed your preliminary research and have a clear idea of what you want to create and who will be on your team, it's time to select tools for drafting, publishing, and incorporating activities and images.

Note: When creating an open textbook with Library support, Pressbooks is the default publishing platform for your OER.

Ideally, you'll use tools that allow multiple users to collaborate in real time. The Excel sheet below, Tools for OER, is just one example of a tracking sheet that you might use. It's a comprehensive overview of considerations for managing an OER project. Like any project, specific requirements will vary depending on the size and scope of your OER project. Feel free to adapt it to your needs. Alternatively, if you find or make one that better suits your needs, let us know so we can share it with others. 

On many platforms - including Pressbooks - the book’s URL (slug) is set when you create the book shell and usually can’t be changed once work begins. Choose a clear, catchy, descriptive title first so the URL aligns with it. You may be able to make minor tweaks to the displayed title later, but the URL will often remain fixed. If you’re using a different platform, check its URL/slug policy before you start.

Consider the essential non-subject elements your OER should include - content that serves important purposes (e.g., usability, licensing, accessibility) even though it sits outside the core subject material. For example, all OER published by Charles Sturt Library on Pressbooks include the following standard sections:

• An Acknowledgement of Country page.
• Recommended attribution and how to reference in APA style.
• An adaptation statement and details of content sources and changes, where relevant. 
• Information about the authors and editors, including a short biography.
• Review and accessibility statements page. We include information here about the peer review process this book has been through, as well as information about accessibility standards followed in the development of the book.
• Versioning history page. Used to record details of minor updates after publication.

More information and details are in Stage 3: Metadata, front matter and backmatter

Drafting a part-and-chapter structure early helps you clarify how your OER will work. Ensure the structure is logical, comprehensive, and clearly aligned with the project’s purpose. Having a clear outline now will save time later - reducing rework such as renumbering figures/tables, updating in-text references, and revising chapter titles.

See more about Content structure in Stage 3: Develop and Design