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Subject:RE: tracking writer progress on tight deadline? From:"Susan W. Gallagher" <SGallagher -at- akonix -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 20 Mar 2002 16:16:59 -0800
> From: julie brodeur [mailto:jool -at- petting-zoo -dot- net]
> I have a tight deadline ... technical experts, not
> writers,... writing due to the time constraint).
>
> Do any of you have recommendations on how I can make sure I get the
> documentation from these "writers" in time...?
>
> I suggested they set a schedule like 4 topics a day to write, but they
> seemed amused by this. :(
>
> Their boss has already made it clear...
> Perhaps I need to do nothing but wait... and pester them that
> their docs are due to me in 2 days?
Perhaps you could ask for incremental drops... "Lemme have
whatever you've got now"
>
> I could also set specific due dates for each topic...
>
> The answer here could just be to trust my co-workers to get their work
> done on time.
HA!
>
> Of course, what do I do if they *don't* get their work to me
> on time, and
> my deliverable doesn't meet the deadline. :(
No matter how we theorize and how we advise, this is what will happen:
Because they're not writers, they will not schedule, they will not pace
themselves, they will have nothing to give you incrementally. They will
wait until the last minute to do everything, get stuck, and be late.
Be sure that everyone knows they're late!
You, then, will work overtime (invest in some grey eyeshadow to
help emphasize the dark circles under your eyes to elicit more
sympathy from your boss). The product will go out on time, but
only because of you. You're a hero. Write it down so your boss
will remember when it's time for raises. (Remember those dark
circles I had under my eyes???!!!)
;-)
Yes, I know that's not what you wanted to hear. But after all
the fiction-play on the list today, it's time for some cold,
hard truth.
Good luck!
-Sue Gallagher
sgallagher -at- akonix -dot- com
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