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.
Some customers are incapable of written expression, but most of them are
capable of speech. Is there an SME whom you would be allowed to interview?
The person who signs the checks should understand that they won't get their
money's worth unless someone can give you more information.
If all goes well, they'll see you as not only a skilled writer and
interviewer, but also as an innovative professional with the customer's best
interests at heart.
Dan Goldstein
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cor -at- techwritercor -dot- com
> Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 1:57 PM
> To: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Abstract Design Document
>
> I just started a contract job this week and have an 80 page book due 3
> weeks from today. I got this design document, which is all I
> have to go
> by for this book and it is just 3 1-sentence numbered items
> that are very
> undescriptive. It's very frustrating since I've come in in
> the middle of
> a project that is due in a very short amount of time. I'm
> used to design
> documents being at least 4-6 pages long and at least somewhat
> descriptive
> about the document I'm supposed to be writing. Are design
> documents like
> this (that are so short) common? It's really frustrating.
> Just needed to
> vent. Any advice? Any experience with something like this before?
> Thanks.
