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:DISCUSS: TW and tech support From:"Bergen, Jane" <janeb -at- ANSWERSOFT -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 7 Nov 1997 08:56:11 -0600
I'd like to know how other software developers (and maybe it's
applicable to some hardware manufacturers) handle getting user feedback
received by tech support to funnel through to the tech pubs department.
Right now I get NO (NONE, NADA, ZIP) feedback. I have no idea if users
are getting help with the docs (including online help) or if they are
even using them. I was discussing this "dark hole" with the head of our
tech support and he told me to come up with a plan.
My first thought is to have tech support simply give me a list
periodically of the questions that come into their department and the
resolutions. I would then be able to make sure that my documents and
online help were addressing the problem areas .... including errors,
omissions, and clarifications. I want to make this as easy as possible
on the tech support people to ensure that they'll cooperate with me.
Giving them a ten-point questionnaire for every tech support call would
be nice, but unrealistic.
So, how do you do it?
Thanks for any answers....email me privately or on the list (I assume
this is on-topic).
Jane Bergen
Jane Bergen, Technical Writer,
AnswerSoft, Inc. Richardson, TX
(972) 997-8355
janeb -at- answersoft -dot- com