RE: Does "Structuring Information" Exist?

Subject: RE: Does "Structuring Information" Exist?
From: "Jim Shaeffer" <jims -at- spsi -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:40:57 -0500


Tony,

1. You equate good analysis with the application of specific,
formal tools and techniques. But - Lot's of us do good analysis by the
seat of our pants.

2. Your description of good engineers is correct. But - Lot's of us
make our livings writing good technical documents to cover up bad
engineering.

3. You seem to assume that quality of output requires the rigorous
application of formal, named tools and techniques. Lot's of us would say
"we don't need no stinking techniques." Quality products are quality
products, however they came into existence. (In reality, we apply
"intelligence guided by experience" and reuse the techniques that have
worked for us in the past, whether we can name them or not.)

Sharon Burton's recent message makes very similar points.

There is no TWIST -Tech Writer's Information Structuring Tool <vbg>.

How do we know that we are doing good work if we cannot point to a
rigorous, named, formal process? Answer: We listen to the feedback from
our audiences and our bosses and incorporate their guidance.

Jim Shaeffer


Tony Markos has written, in various recent emails:

When we do good analysis we use very specific, concrete techniques:
Data Flow Diagrams, Entity Relationship Diagrams, etc.
What specific techniques do you use to structure information for
presentation?

As any good engineer knows: A rigorous, comprehensive understanding of
essential end-user goals/tasks, and how those goals/tasks interrelate
forms the high-level architecture within which all technology is
properly "pigeon holed".

In order to differentiate between analysis and "structuring
information", I seek to identify the specific, concrete steps taken and
techniques used in "structuring information".





^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo:
http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

Doc-To-Help 7.5 Professional: New version with new features, improved performance and reliability, plus much more! Download your free trial today at www.componentone.com/techwrlfeb.

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



Previous by Author: RE: Button vs. Icon
Next by Author: Re: "cannot" or "can not"
Previous by Thread: re: Heuristic or Heuristics
Next by Thread: RE: Does "Structuring Information" Exist?


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads