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Subject:Re: Cost of Documentation From:Jonathan Leer <jleer -at- LTC -dot- MV -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 20 May 1996 10:04:30 -0300
Interesting analysis. If somebody were to publish such data as the cost =
of lawsuits lost by companies over poorly documented products, just =
maybe we could wake up some of those corporate managers who rush to get =
a manual out,"oh, we don't need to hire a writer or illustrator, just =
have the secretary do it by the end of the week."
Jon Leer
----------
From: Michael J Maloney[SMTP:mmaloney -at- epic-isti -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, May 17, 1996 9:57 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Cc: jleer -at- LTC -dot- MV -dot- COM
Subject: Cost of Documentation
>Documentation is a cost. Until we can change corporate attitudes that
documentation creates revenue, and that the better the document the =
greater
the revenue, we relying stricting on an emotional sale to the managers =
with
the purse strings. In today's competitive marketplace on-demand
documentation is becoming the norm and the fastest turnaround time wins =
the
contract.
The "return on investment" of technical documentation is nearly =
impossible
to measure (if it exists at all).=20
However, let's say you're producing technical documentation for chain =
saw
use (hardware documentation). Without clean, accurate instructions
(conforming to ANSI Standards) - combined with clean accurate =
illustrations,
the manufacturer (deep pockets) can lose a fortune in liability cases. =
How
much is this document worth? A million dollars? If it cost $15,000 - =
$20,000
to produce a manual that prevents a few million-dollar claims..... I'd =
say
that's a great return on investment. Wouldn't you?
Michael J. Maloney
President, EPIC Creative Services
2230 Lyndhurst Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28203 USA
President, ISTI (International Society for Technical Illustrators) http://www.epic-isti.com/epic
Business Phone: 1-704-523-6907
Business Fax: 1-704-522-7504
Home Phone: 1-803-366-6763
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