Re: style guides: persuasion to follow rules or enforcement

["Pro TechWriter" <pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com>]

I am also interested in what others have to say about this. I have given up.
I provide each (non-technical writer) author with their own Word document
copy that they can destroy to their heart's content. I keep a master copy
that changes are applied to, by ME, that adhere to the document styles. If
there are a lot of changes, I do a compare and match 'em up.

There is no support here to even ask that the topic authors follow our
standards--we are told to "give 'em what they want." This is because I am
bascially viewed as a souped-up clerical person (i.e., "secretary and
typist").

It's depressing, at least today anyway.

PT


On 6/7/07, Katriel Reichman <katriel -at- methodm -dot- com> wrote:
>
> One approach to getting writers (including product managers, pre-sales and
> other non-technical writers) to follow style guides or "policies for
> working
> with Word" is rely on goodwill (or gentle arm-twisting - see Jawboning
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawboning> ). Another approach, less common,
> is build-in compliance to the authoring/editing process.  In other words,
> enforce compliance.  Enforcement sounds draconian, but heck - a lot of
> people pay taxes because they're afraid of being audited.  A lot of people
> use crazy styles, local formatting, and commit other cardinal sins because
> (1) it's easier than following policies and (2) there is no enforcement
> mechanism.
>
>
>
> I am interested to hear experiences/opinions on
> a) the efficacy of compliance enforcement vs. gentle persuasion.
>
> b) can/should compliance efforts be directed beyond technical writers to
> other staff who create lots of documents.
>
>
>
> Looking forward to feedback,
>
> Katriel
>
> Katriel Reichman
> Method M Ltd. - the method is in the message
> <mailto:katriel -at- methodm -dot- com> katriel -at- methodm -dot- com,
> <http://www.methodm.com/> www.methodm.com/blog/,
> www.methodm.com/author-max/
> (tool for improving Word productivity, quality and consistency; download
> available).
>
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-- 
PT
pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com
I'm a Technical Technical Writer!
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