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I'd say it's a combination. I regard myself as brilliant in certain areas
so some things are just "logical" or "simple".
I, like you, learn new subjects by drafting as we get information. In
addition to what you had stated in your first missal, this method commits us
to think about what we've heard/read/coerced from SMEs and forces us (and
the SMEs) to look at the data flow. By doing this, we see where the "gaps"
are and act appropriately. This method has a great side benefit of
displaying your knowledge by asking $64K question using the "key words and
tricky phrases" in a very short time.
Memory skills, whether short or long term, are a boon. I have a short term
memory, so I can't sit and learn the entire subject before "'twas a dark and
stormy...". I've seen others not accomplish anything until they understand
the entire process and implications of change, but once they do, they are
exceptional.
The only exception to either method (learn everything or write from week
one) would be if you had little knowledge what you were writing about. In
that sort of case, I'd start with learning the terms and building a
glossary. That way you are still writing (which seems to be the only way we
can justify our existence at times).
Steve McDermott
Sr. Tech Writer
Premera Blue Cross
-----Original Message-----
From: John Posada [mailto:jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 8:20 AM
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