TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Melanie Fielek asks:
> So, how do y'all deal with documenting several
> different ways of accomplishing the same task?
Salette Latas responds, in part:
> I only document one method, giving preference to the
> simplest and most
> versatile. I prefer to document menu selections
> ("From the File menu, select Open.") because the
> user can access them with either the keyboard or the
> mouse.
I agree with Salette's approach. I try to keep it
simple for the user. I have provided a selection of
"Shortcuts" in a section of its own for the more
sophisticated user. But I take the approach that I'll
give you one way of accomplishing a task, the best or
most efficient way if possible, but at least a way
that will work.
Since I insist on testing every procedure that goes
into documentation, both for accuracy and for
completeness, I find that there is seldom enough time
to test all possible ways of doing things. And even
constantly repeating the same instructions (Either do
it this way or that way or another way) seems to
clutter up a procedure with choices users don't really
want.
However, I'm sure there are times when you need to
present all of the choices.
=====
Tom Murrell
Senior Technical Writer
Alliance Data Systems
Columbus, Ohio mailto:trmurrell -at- yahoo -dot- com
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send online invitations with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com
