Re: Where are the experts on job estimating?

[Barb Philbrick <caslonsvcs -at- IBM -dot- NET>]

>What about editing?
>If a SME gives you a document and asks you to *edit* it, is there a rule of
>thumb for this?
I hate estimating editing jobs. I've had too many of them that
required complete revamping (and some that might have been easier if
I'd started from scratch).

Before estimating an editing job, you need to determine:

1. What level of edit?
     - Grammar and spelling: Probably 1/4 to 1/2 hour per page,
        depending on what a first look at the document tells you.
     - Rewriting badly written sentences:  About an hour per
        page.
     - Reorganize and fill in gaping holes in logic: Anywhere from 2
        to 4 hours per page.

2. Who's making the changes? Will you need to check it again after
they're made? Add time as needed.

If you can, go hourly on editing! It's often difficult to tell how bad
a piece is until you get into it.

To add to the "how many hours per page" debate: I'm between 2 to 4
hours per page to write, edit, format, and provide final copy. The
hours depend on the company. For instance, some of my clients need
more before and after paperwork. The subject matter expert also makes
a difference (spineless engineers who cave in to marketing's every
whim add an hour per page; so do SMEs that are difficult to drag
information out of). Each individual and situation is different --
track your time to find out what your rates are.

Regards,

Barb

Barbara Philbrick, Caslon Services Inc.
Technical Writing. caslonsvcs -at- ibm -dot- net
Cleveland, OH