An automated publishing system that facilitates collaborative editing and accountability through virtual document architecture

An automated document publishing system comprises a content library store containing a library of components and an element store containing a plurality of hierarchical elements for defining a document. Each element identifies at least one other element and/or at least one component. The automated document publishing system further comprises at least one business store containing business rules or data; and a processor for assembling a document using the elements, the components and the business rules or data. Apparatus for viewing or editing a document assembled using the above automated document publishing system comprises: first interface means for generating an image of at least one component of the document in a first region of a display and enabling a user to edit the at least one component; and second interface means for generating an interface in a second region of the display to allow a user to make structural changes to the document. The second interface means is adapted to display handles in the second region of the display. Each handle comprises an iconized representation of a component or an element to allow selection and manipulation of the component or element, and the handles are displayed as an organizational structure defining the hierarchical structure of the elements and components of the document.