Re: Validating documentation

Subject: Re: Validating documentation
From: Elna Tymes <Etymes -at- LTS -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 12:05:47 -0800


Jackson, Malkia wrote:

Is this a natural alliance (i.e. should
techwriters of software be closely linked with SQA)?

In a word, yes! In my experience with a number of software and hardware companies, the systems that generated the least number of customer complaints were those where QA tested/validated the accompanying manuals - and release notes - and where said documentation had to describe how the system worked before any part of the system could be released.

This process rule was regularly objected to by developers and marketing folks, sometimes strenuously. They didn't like the idea that the product might miss its ship date because the documentation was in error. However it usually highlighted the fact that documentation mistakes get through when (1) developers are late with correct information, (2) reviewers are less than thorough with their comments, or (3) writers don't get the resources they need to accomplish last-minute miracles. The best control of this process was at Sun, where doc managers got support from upper management to slip release dates if necessary in order to get the docs correct.

Elna Tymes
Los Trancos Systems


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
PC Magazine gives RoboHelp Office 2002 five stars - a perfect score!
"The ultimate developer's tool for designing help systems. A product
no professional help designer should be without." Check out RoboHelp at
http://www.ehelp.com/techwr

Check out the TECHWR-L Site redesign! http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.


References:
Validating documentation: From: Jackson, Malkia

Previous by Author: Re: Reference books you use the most
Next by Author: Re: Re; Validating documentation
Previous by Thread: Validating documentation
Next by Thread: Re: Validating documentation


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads