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: Hours/page estimates with explanation From:"Meek, DavidX L" <davidx -dot- l -dot- meek -at- INTEL -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 10 Mar 1999 08:12:29 -0800
I sent an e-mail to the national STC site, but they were unable to help me.
They suggested I contact my local chapter, which, for various reasons, I was
unable to do.
So I went home and reviewed my personal collection of technical writing
information. I found the data I needed, provided below, but not in its
original source publication. I cannot give 100% assurance that the numbers
are derived completely from the STC, but I seem to recall seeing these
numbers in my local STC chapter's newsletter.
*New manuals
8 hours/page for first 75 pages (including art)
4-8 hours/page for remaining pages
or
3-5 hours/page
2 hours/graphic for simple line art
1-2 hours/screen capture
*Substantive revision of existing manual
1-3 hours/page for text
1-2 hours/graphic for art
*Light editing of existing manual
10-20 minutes/page for text
1/2-1 hour/graphic for art
*Indexing (all tasks)
5 pages per hour
*Online documentation
2 hours/screen
or
3 hours/screen for graphics-intensive screens
*Production
5 percent of all other activities
If anyone can provide more complete information or can cite a source, please
let me know.
-Dave
(Any statements made above are mine, and mine alone.)