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Re: Definition of Technical Writer

Subject: Re: Definition of Technical Writer
From: "Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: "Richard Lewis" <tech44writer -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:52:58 -0400

Richard Lewis responds:
The question is how do HOW do technical writers create concise and easy-to-read documentation. Do they have a majic wand, or are there specific steps to the process. Think behavior based interview.
If I recall, the person who asked the question had like a programming manager background. In software development, specific steps can be defined, such as:
* Model the "As Is" physical domain
* Convert to the "As Is" logical domain
* Create the "To Be" logical functional model of the system
* Create the "To Be" physical function model of the system
etc, etc.
What are the specific steps (i.e., what is the desired behavior) in Technical Writing?

Depends on the situation, really. A well-defined process might involve
contextual inquiry, storyboarding, relationship diagrams, and other
tools to build a model from which to document. A more common process
might involve extreme amounts of caffiene and sugar while flogging the
SMEs with rubber chickens.

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References:
Re: Definition of Technical Writer: From: iFaqeer (SIA)
Re: Definition of Technical Writer: From: Richard Lewis

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