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.
<<As I understand it, the SOX law requires documentation of processes and
procedures but does not mandate a particular format. If this is true (and I
hope someone will let me know if it isn't), why do I see ads for writers
experienced in SOX documentation? As long as you are an experienced tech
writer in whatever field is involved, what difference does it make if you
have specific SOX experience or not? Clarification will be appreciated as I
am a bit confused.>>
There are regulations, depending on the industry (or size of company), that
you have to be familiar with.
We had a client who used Cobit (for a definition of this go to http://www.controlit.org/) , open standard IT for their IT processes, so
they needed documentation that documented the System Development Life Cycle
(SDLC) and complied with the Cobit open standard. SOX 404 isn't particularly
hard, it just says you need to pick a standard and stick to it.
SOX 404 affects Finance, but it affects IT as much or more. There's loads of
info out on the internet about it. None of it will really clarify much
(because the law seems deliberately vague), which is why people are asking
for people with experience. Here's the good news: if you are strong in
processes and procedures and you are strong in SDLC, you should be able to
make the case that you are qualified for the job.
There are hurdles: this is an area fraught with turf battles, possessiveness
of information, territory wars, accounting professionals, SMEs that are
overworked... the whole nine yards.
Good luck!
Sherry
Sherry Michaels
President
Michaels & Associates
11639 E. Wethersfield Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480-614-8440 Local
877-614-8440 Toll free
480-614-2775 FAX
www.docntrain.com
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