TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Need an activity to explain why bugs happen?
* Jenga
* Build an extension onto a house of cards
* Pin a third arm on them (cool new feature) and have them put on a cardigan
(existing standard functionaility)
Cheryl
(who, when wearing a support hat, kept threatening to keep a bullwhip on the
wall for sales but used a smile for developers)
----- Original Message -----
From: <dthomps -at- foundationsoft -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 11:00 AM
Subject: Fostering Teamwork and Communication
>
> Hi,
> This may be a strange request, but I figured there's at least a few of you
> who play similar roles in your company, so I'm looking for ideas and
> insight.
>
> Part of my job is to teach our Customer Support Department about the new
> developments in our software when it is released. I technically fall under
> the R&D Department, but because of this job duty, actually work closely
with
> both departments.
>
> The two departments have what I imagine is a classic problem -- they
> severely dislike each other. Because I facilitate the communication
between
> both departments, I bear the brunt of this. When I hold training classes
for
> support, they gripe at me about everything under the sun, and when I
return
> any comments or suggestions to R&D, they gripe that Support's not doing
> their job, doesn't understand, yadda yadda yadda.
>
> I'd like to find a way to get the two departments to see the other side of
> the fence a little more clearly and am planning to devote my next training
> session with Support to this. Anyone have ideas for workshop activities,
> games, etc. that will help Support to understand how the R&D process
works,
> why bugs sometimes happen, how to make constructive comments rather than
> just complain, etc.?
>
> TIA,
>
> Dannette Thompson
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.512 / Virus Database: 309 - Release Date: 8/19/2003