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.
Subject:FW: Trouble working with a SME From:Misti Tucker <mdelaney -at- SOFTWARE-SERVICES -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 4 Nov 1996 12:36:32 -0500
>I wonder a couple of things: what nationality is the programmer? cultural and
>gender differences may account for some of the problem. The other question
>is
>where the guy worked before that he got used to this?
>don't let him browbeat you. I would prob. resort to "because I'm the mommy"
>kind of answer.
>other possiblity, just let him in on the technical review cycle, not the
>final
>sign-off review?
>-becca
>>----------
>>From: Melinda M. Carr[SMTP:melindac -at- CAPSOFT -dot- COM]
>>Sent: Thursday, October 31, 1996 12:37 PM
>>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>>Subject: Trouble working with a SME
>>
>>Okay, I need a reality check. I have been at this company for almost
>>three years and have never had any trouble working with the programmers
>>before, but now my manager and I find ourselves head-to-head with one
>>programmer far too often.
>>
>>The crux of the matter is that he likes to review the documentation (okay
>>so far); make copious suggestions on technical matters, organization,
>>word choice, writing style (sometimes annoying but still okay), almost
>>all followed by exclamation points (definitely annoying but bearable);
>>and receive an explanation for each suggestion that we do not implement
>>(???). It has never been our standard practice to provide feedback to
>>reviewers on why we don't take some suggestions. My gut reaction is that
>>this is a bad idea (in part because explanations when given are rarely
>>accepted and usually spawn a long e-mail exchange designed to convince me
>>that he is right), but I want to make sure I am looking at this
>>objectively. He has told us that he considers us rude and disrepectful
>>because we don't provide this feedback.
>>
>>Any comments or suggestions would be very welcome.
>>
>>Melinda (melindac -at- capsoft -dot- com)
>>
>>
