> 1. Remove all existing tech writing staff from techpubs. > 2. Replace these with software developers and specialists who know the > software inside out and get them to write all of the documentation. These > would now be known as Developer-techwriters. (It should be noted that none > of these people has English as a first language, despite this being the > primary market for the documentation.) > 3. Hire editing staff to edit only the language and grammar of the documents > written by the software specialists. > > The reasoning behind this scenario is; that this saves money as the > developers know the software, and it is really cheap to get university > students to come in and edit.
The plan as a whole is about a buoyant as a brick, but parts have merit. Having people who know the software inside and out as writers is optimal - this is the level at which a tech writer should be functioning. Having editors clean up language and control the style to enforce consistency has merit as well, but hungry college grads are not the right people for the job either (need talented editors to do it right). In the end, your scenario will cost the company more money in the long run. I'm sure the developers won't want to be writing the docs for very long, and turnover for the editorial roles will be high. But, with the right people in the right roles, this could work. We have developers write first pass documentation for a SDK we produce, and the writers (among other roles) make the information complete and polished. Of course, the writers are also busy building sample applications and tutorials in the meantime. You need a model where everyone *can* pitch in, but one in which every role is appreciated and respected. Yours sounds like a quick means to an end (the end being a craptastic product delivery and a low morale crew). -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
