[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Author Index (this month)][Thread Index (this month)][Top of Archive]

Re: How To Choose A Good TW Was Re: Giving a surprise test to interviewees?

Subject: Re: How To Choose A Good TW Was Re: Giving a surprise test to interviewees?
From: "Jerry Muelver" <jerry -at- hytext -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 21:32:39 -0600


From: "David Neeley"
...

Like you, I do not begin to write immediately on a project. I plan it
carefully, based upon the product and the audience before I begin to
write. Then, when I do begin to write I attempt to do the writing
correctly the first time so I will have less editing later. That way,
as last minute changes seem endemic to the development process, I have
less to worry about in completing the project. I know the parts that
will not be affected by changes will need little editing.

David


I disagree, David. I suggest writing immediately, at a very high level of abstraction. Then iterate down to fill in the details. The project then has a crystalline growth pattern, each new crystal fitting into place when and where it is needed, faceted and polished as required, buffed up -- or chipped out -- when needed.

I have found that extensively detailed planning is too rigid, too limiting, too easy to defend because it's detailed, too hard to abandon because it's extensive. It's anathema to documenting software development, and to documenting the software product in realtime as the product is developed. The type of planning you describe might work for large metal things that sit outside and rust in the rain, but not for products that are adaptive, or require adaptive behavior on the part of their users.

---- Jerry Muelver

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo:
http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

Your Ad Here! Have a product or service you'd like to get some attention for? Use this space to get the word out! Contact lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com for more details.

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.


References:
Re: How To Choose A Good TW Was Re: Giving a surprise test to interviewees?: From: Tony Markos
Re: How To Choose A Good TW Was Re: Giving a surprise test to interviewees?: From: David Neeley

Previous by Author: Re: Pattern language for tech writing
Next by Author: Re: Web hosting service to host a wikki?
Previous by Thread: Re: How To Choose A Good TW Was Re: Giving a surprise test to interviewees?
Next by Thread: Re: How To Choose A Good TW Was Re: Giving a surprise test to interviewees?

[Top of Archive] | [Author Index (this month)] | [Thread Index (this month)]

What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:

Sponsored Ads