Re: Mechanics of collaborating with Marketing
Steven Brown wrote:
I'm the first technical writer in my company, and I'm
trying to create and implement a documentation
strategy where there has never been one. Marketing has
generally created all "documentation" that goes to
customers, and despite my incredible skills and
expertise (he said with a friendly wink), The Powers
That Be have determined that marketing should continue
to do so, with me focusing primarily on overall
strategy and content.
Questions:
1. What kind of production are they going to use? Print, PDF, Help?
2. What kind of length of manuals are you talking about?
3. What level of complexity within these manuals? Lots of illustrations, screen shots, tables, numerous cross-references?
4. What size will the files be? This relates to length and content complexity.
5. What tools will they be using.
And now for the big one,
6. What kind of personnel resources are available for this? Can they support it? Will they need to augment it?
And finally, what kind of influence do you have? Are you a worker bee? Are you on the same hierarcheal level as the Director of Marketing?
I see a VERY BIG CONFLICT of missions. Your mission, and Marketings mission. What you advise, may not be implemented because:
1. They have other priorities.
2. They don't want to (thier boss says no).
3. There is a turf war between your boss and their boss.
It could work. I think the cards are stacked against you.
Scott
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References:
Mechanics of collaborating with Marketing: From: Steven Brown
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