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Subject:RE: Improving internal assembly instructions From:eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 12 Mar 2004 10:58:06 -0500
"tom -dot- green -at- iwon -dot- com" <tom -dot- green -at- iwon -dot- com> wrote on 03/12/2004 10:45:55 AM:
> If "FM" means FrameMaker then I will have to point out
> that not all companies use FrameMaker. Some use Word (like
> us), online documentation or some other thing. If "FM"
> doesn't mean FrameMaker then I have no idea what you are
> talking about.
Yes FM means FrameMaker. Sorry.
But, I would assume that similar solutions are available regardless of
which software you use. If a solution that meats the needs of your
audience is too complicated or impossible using the tools on-hand, it's
time to re-evaluate which tools you should be using.
Pushing for not including part numbers in the documentation because "it's
too hard" will always be met with resistance from higher ups and
particularly customers. Customers and your audience don't care how hard it
is to do. It's what they want and expect. Management will be frustrated
that you are refusing to satisfy the customer.
Now, if you really want to convince them you need to come up with solid
numbers. How much time does it take to do manual updates? Will the
customer support those costs? If not can management absorb the costs?
(Still don't be shocked if the answer is yes you have to do it but there's
no extra budget.)
Once you know the cost of doing it manually, how much will it cost to
automate and maintain using current tools? How much would it cost to
change tools?
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Hurry, offer expires March 31 2004.
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