Re: The cost of inaccurate technical documentation

[<cindy -at- workabledesign -dot- com>]

I do not agree with the assertion that legal documents aim to complicate
simple concepts, but I certainly agree with Damien's observation of hope. 

In the last few years, I have had the opportunity to work with several
large, bureaucracy-rich and litigiously-conscious governmental agencies on
projects aimed to clarify the legal mumbo jumbo, and effectively eliminate
the use of legalese in interagency contracts. The nearly unheard-of
by-product of this process is an interdependent team of technical writers,
learning professionals and lawyers working together to craft contract
language that the average person can understand. Yes, lawyers -- at least 5
of them who actively invite the technical communicators to edit their
language before anyone signs on the bottom line. 

I suppose stranger things have happened -- or could happen!

Cindy Edwards
Instructional Design Consultant
(916) 834-2442
 


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