RE: In the Trenches, A Bit of Venting

["Mike Bradley" <mbradley -at- techpubs -dot- com>]

As you describe it, there seems to be room for both activities (researching
the old and writing the new), and the division of duties seems entirely
appropriate. The staff writer is thinking long-term, as a staffer should,
while you're thinking short-term, as a contractor should. In essence, it
seems that, by writing the new docs that are needed, you are covering the
staffer's nether region so that he can do the research that he feels is
necessary.

Do you know why the staffer feels the survey of the old docs is necessary?
Has he been told to scope out the workload in documenting the new version of
the app? Is he collecting ammunition for a request to expand the department?

If you're being told to stop all writing and you feel doing so would be a
major mistake, I guess I would try to do some horsetrading: give up some of
the writing in return for not having to give up all of it.

= Mike Bradley
  Tech Pubs



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