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Re: Fwd: Follow-up: Acceptance of Mediocre Documentation

Subject: Re: Fwd: Follow-up: Acceptance of Mediocre Documentation
From: Dick Margulis <margulisd -at- comcast -dot- net>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 26 May 2005 15:38:31 -0400




Anonymous Poster wrote:


I did a thorough review of my existing job’s
documentation department before accepting the
position. In the interview, I reviewed one of the
existing training manuals (they also allowed me to
take it home for review). It was explained to me that
it was written by a non-writer and it was not at the
level they knew the clients needed/wanted. Therefore,
that prompted them to create the position I currently
hold. I know I’ve only been here a month, but I
thought they would embrace my ideas and
recommendations, since they already saw a need for
improvements to the documentation.


AP,

Maybe this scenario fits:

The people you are expecting your ideas to be embraced by are the same non-writers who wrote what you are trying to improve. They were ordered to hire a writer, and to save face they were friendly and polite during the hiring process; but, basically, every time you suggest an improvement, you are further humiliating them (not knowingly or intentionally, I'm sure). The embrace you are envisioning is a warm and welcoming one. The embrace they are envisioning is an asphyxiating one. Think boa constrictor.

I think you may do better just to take ownership of the documents and upgrade them to your standards without seeking permission or approval for your changes. You'll make a lot more progress that way. If doing this leads them to fire you for insubordination, you're no worse off than if you walk out the door because of your current frustration.

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References:
Fwd: Follow-up: Acceptance of Mediocre Documentation: From: Anonymous Poster

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