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Subject:RE: Books on Writing Functional Specifications From:jgarison -at- ide -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 7 Nov 2000 14:51:39 -0500
This whole thread on whether or not someone has done basic research before
asking the experts is analogous to getting information about a project.
If I went to one of my SMEs (Subject Matter Experts in case someone else
doesn't read the archives) and asked a bone-headed question such as "So, can
you tell me what this program is supposed to do and how it does it?" I would
most likely get tossed out on my proverbial ear.
However, if I go to the same SME and ask "I've read the spec and played with
the latest build, but I'm having trouble figuring out how this program is
supposed to work. Is it supposed to work like the old doohickey or the new
thingamajig?" I would get his attention and most likely an insightful answer
to my question.
The question is essentially the same. The difference is that I imparted to
the SME that I had done my homework and still had a knowledge gap.
TO ALL NEW POSTERS: Please indicate to us that you have done some elementary
investigation of your own before you ask large, open-ended questions.
My 2¢.
John
John Garison
Documentation Manager
IDe
150 Baker Avenue Extension
Concord, MA 01742
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