Sean Bierley wrote: After the first time I was told to change the product name on a docset the day before GA, I took to using variables for product names.
One example of pulling a Scottie. ***************** LOL, just last week my boss casually let me know that the area team leader titles throughout our 300-person manufacturing plant have been changed from "XXX" to "ZZZ" -- in some areas but not all. I did not set up my 20 QMS procedures and 22 company-specific process descriptions -- or any of the work instructions, forms, or supporting documents -- with job titles set as variables. Sob! (As in weep, not in any way directed at my boss.) Managers just have no clue what such changes mean in a controlled document environment, especially when changing from total chaos into control. It's just an alien concept to them and there's no sense kicking and screaming about it. I have only myself to blame for not using variables. I blame being out of the field for several years. For a quick fix, I updated the glossary and issued it to all locations. In the glossary I included the information that "XXX" and "ZZZ" describe the same functional position. Will an external auditor let me get away with that? As a patch, maybe. After each area's scheduled in-depth annual document review and update, probably not. So with speed, quality, and price let us raise a job security toast also to arbitrary title changes! Dori "Resourceful Document Goddess" Green ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DITA West 2007--Use a discount code of "TECHCOMMPROS" to get a discount rate of $200 off the $800 price if you register before close of business January 15, 2007. http://www.travelthepath.com/conf/dita2007.shtml _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
