RE: Help me keep track of the time I spend writing, with meetings, and with Graphics.

["Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com>]

SB wrote:

<snip> He takes about 5 to 10 times longer than I 
> have in the past to update a same document. So, how can I 
> figure out what is wrong there and fix it if I know exactly 
> the changes that are involved. </snip>

You have the before and after versions of the document, right? So, is he
updating 5 to 10 times as much content? And if so, are the changes
necessary and appropriate? If not, have you told him his work is
unacceptable and made both your expectations and the consequences of
failing to meet them clear? 
 
<snip> I just feel that I am giving him the 
> easy part and taking on all the load and he can't even meet 
> the deadlines for the easy part. </snip>

If you've set deadlines that you're confident are reasonable, and he
failed to meet them, then why are you still paying him? If he's making
your job harder, not easier, he needs to be replaced. 

<snip> Note that he is very 
> experienced and I do personally like him, I just get very 
> frustrated that it does not matter how small the project, if 
> he is given a life time, this is how much it will take him </snip> 

There are contractors and consultants who put far more effort into
getting the contract and being likeable than into the actual work they
do. Some manage to make a career out of this, preying on the many people
like you who are easily taken advantage of. If they're "given a life
time," of course that's how long it will take! They're paid by the hour!


There's no software that will help you, SB. If your description of the
situation is accurate, then no offense, but you need to grow a spine.

Richard 


------
Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
------





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

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.