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Subject:Re: giving feedback to non writers From:"Damien Braniff" <Damien -dot- Braniff -at- asg -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Mon, 7 Feb 2005 14:51:36 -0000
Kate's comments reminded me of something a writer I worked with many
years ago did in a similar situation (he was moving on too so wasn't too
bothered about what he said!). When SMEs were making non-technical
changes (well one particular SME) to the docs he did one draft document
purely on what HE knew of the product, ignoring information from the
SME. Obviously this lead to a poorer document and the SME asked why the
feedback had been ignored. He pointed out that as his 'expert' feedback
(on writing) was ignored he thought that accepting feedback from
'experts' was optional, rather bluntly pointing out that, where writing
was concerned, he was the expert.
Obviously he did incorporate the technical comments (left shortly
afterwards) and produced an excellent doc. Other writers who worked with
the SME claimed that he became (a little) more amenable to feedback.
Damien Braniff | Technical Writer
damienb -at- asg -dot- com
Technical Communications
ASG | asg.com
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8, Lagan Bank Road,
Belfast, N. Ireland BT1 3LR
Tel: +44 (0) 28.9072.3124
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