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Subject:Re: Managing Offshored Writers From:bcliver -at- manu -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 18 Aug 2004 07:52:22 -0400
>The rumor is that my company will be offshoring some of their tech
writing
>responsibilities in the near future. It looks like I will be responsible
>for managing these resources should it occur. I am a senior tech writer
>who has tried to dodge the "management" bullet for some time now, but it
>looks like this one's got my name on it.
>If anyone out there has had experience with this situation, I would love
>to hear from you as I create my strategy for using offshored writers to
>the benefit of my company.
You should review resumes and interview candidates, if possible. The
turnover rate is very high at most offshore locations, and the quality of
work varies widely. Develop a good documentation plan with detailed
milestones, dates, whatever you want to call them. Pad the schedule so you
have time to edit drafts. Give them examples of documentation, TOCs,
indexes, style guide, and so forth. Hold a weekly telecon, and encourage
open communication. Develop a system to backup or exchange files, and make
sure you don't overwrite each other's files if you're working on the same
projects.
After that, your company will spend $7,000 to fly you there, $200 per
night lodging, and meals; you'll get sick, jetlagged, and exhausted; and
then you'll return home to a mountain of work that you normally would have
completed in the preceding week. Good luck.
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