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Subject:Re: Best Practise From:"Michael West" <mike -dot- west -at- oz -dot- quest -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 29 Apr 2002 16:50:04 +1000
"Karthik Sundaram" asked:
>
> I keep hearing this phrase "best practise". Was wondering if any of you
have
> worked with this term. What does it entail, encompass and engender? It
would
> be different for each field. How does it affect technical writing? Any
> books, references?
Defining "best practice" is like defining "excellence."
There are many ways of approaching the question.
What we usually mean when we speak of "industry best
practice" is an awareness and understanding of the
"best" ways of doing whatever it is we're talking about.
So, for example, if a practitioner wants to claim "best practice"
as personal attribute, he or she should be aware of current
research, theory, practice, and professional standards in the
chosen field. That would include legal standards as well as
de facto standards.
For a tech writer, I would say that "best practice" requires
a familiarity with the outstanding publications in the field,
with the methods and processes in use by the major
players in the industry, and with the recommendations
of professional associations and industry experts.
There are quite a few books and references on practices
for technical communications. I'll bet you can find a few
on the Internet or at your local technical bookshop.
--
Michael West
Melbourne
.
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