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:Documentation Process From:"Josee C. Morel" <jcmorel -at- hotmail -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com Date:Tue, 28 Sep 1999 22:41:47 GMT
Hi,
This is my first time writing to you all as a group. I turn to you all for
some assistance with a restructuring issue at work. I work in France for a
French software firm with two French technical writers. I am the only one
working on the English version of the documentation. Recent market changes
have pushed management to ask us to stop producing doc in French and work
together to produce the doc in English.
His first proposal was to have my co-workers write directly in English. I
would be responsible for proof-reading this work. Since they are not native
speakers, my work would be doing a lot of rewriting in addition to my
regular work. Yuck! This is not a time or cost efficient solution.
When I told my boss how I felt, I also suggested he let me have a chance to
think about the process involved in producing documentation. I told him I
would get back to him with a plan that took into account our talents and
resources.
Yes, I am getting to my point. Could you help me break down the process
involved in producing documentation?
* Researching
* Audience profiling
* Task Analysis
* Creating a documentation plan
* Writing alpha draft
* Writing beta draft
* Indexing for beta
* Adding screen shots
* Writing final draft
* Putting online (we don?t offer HELP but produce online doc in HTML)
I am a very junior tech writer. Any and all help would be GREATLY
appreciated. I do not want to leave any phases out. I would also like to
see some of your time estimates (in percentages) for each of these phases
Different phases do not depend on good writing skills.
If you reply to me personally, I would be happy to post a summary.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Josée Christine Morel
Technical Writer
Paris - France
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
