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:Re: Devr. wants to take over doc.--some history From:Jeanette Feldhousen <jeanette_feldhousen -at- MENTORG -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 30 Apr 1997 11:26:17 -0700
Wow--this sounds like a nasty little battle. If I can paraphrase the
developers' comments without quoting any sensitive information:
1) John can promise one-day turnaround, but it will take a few days for
the printed copies to get there. The engineer can put information online,
saving a few days.
2) Engineers don't really believe that John can incorporate changes in an
acceptable time, because he might not be available at that time.
Of course, with #1, I don't see why you can't put the information online
yourself. Objection #2 is much harder, and basically comes down to them
not believing you when you say you can turn around documents in a day.
It sounds even though they say that you have done great things with
documentation, they don't really believe that you have knowledge about
documentation that the engineers don't have. If you choose to fight this,
you may want to tactfully point out your expertise in organizing information,
knowledge of style guidelines, and your knowledge of however your
organization controls changes in documentation.
Of course, it's really easy for me to sit here and tell you to fight this--
I'm not the one on the front line. Good luck!
--Jeanette
--
Jeanette Feldhousen jeanette_feldhousen -at- mentorg -dot- com
Mentor Graphics Corporation
8005 SW Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, OR 97070
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html