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.
Hoo boy. This sounds like a pointy-haired boss idea if there ever was
one.
In the same situation, *I'd* be tempted to ask if the software engineers
are going to be rated the same way! That would really make some
engineers shiver in their Birkenstocks...
You should take this "opportunity" to construct a survey that is biased
towards giving you favorable replies, and then see if anyone is sharp
enough to notice. I am perfectly serious; I bet you money that nobody
will notice.
I can see using a well-crafted *long-term* repeatable survey to help you
produce a better product. That's *different* from *rating* a group based
on a survey. After all, you could do what you think is right for an
entire year and then find that the survey says you did the wrong thing.
The time to do the survey is *at the beginning*.
But, these words are wasted. Any organization that comes up with such a
boneheaded idea to begin with is not going to change course just because
I say so.
My honest advice is to take as little time as possible putting together
your survey, write it so that it will produce results in your favor, and
then get your friends to pad the ballot box. And don't be surprised if
they still don't expand your department; any organization that needs
evidence of that sort is searching for *any* way to avoid spending the
money.
Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not
necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of Jennifer_Gidner -at- Dom -dot- com
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 1:09 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Cc: Helen_Carter -at- Dom -dot- com
Subject: Customer Satisfaction Survey
Hi all,
Our small (2-member) Technical Writing shop has been told that we will
be measured this year by the results of a customer satisfaction survey
that we must create. Yikes!
We need good numbers to justify expanding our group and to prove that
TWers really DO provide a valuable and necessary service. I am
desperately seeking hints/help from anyone who has created such a survey
in the past (or anyone who has any ideas, really)!
Such as, what are good questions? What is a good scale? I've searched
the archives and noticed a small debate on using an odd or even number
of questions....
Thanks in advance for any and all help!
Jen Gidner
-----------------------------------------
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information
which may be legally confidential and/or privileged and does not in any
case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto
which binds the sender without an additional express written
confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the
individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is
unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure,
copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is
prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic
transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you
have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you.
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today!. http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today!. http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
