Re: Enterprise software - reorganizing the help

Subject: Re: Enterprise software - reorganizing the help
From: Richard Lewis <tech44writer -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: Patrick and Jenny <pat_jen -at- hotmail -dot- com>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:57:45 -0700 (PDT)

Typically, I create data flow diagrams as a series of parent-child hyperlinked pages of diagrams within a single Visio file. These can then be automatically converted into a web site consisting of hyperlinked web pages or into PDFs.

The individual function boxes within a data flow diagram can hyperlink to text-based documentation.

Generic Richard

Patrick and Jenny <pat_jen -at- hotmail -dot- com> wrote:
Hi Richard

Good point. We do use flow charts to document business procedures, and find that keeping them to a single 8.5 x 11 inch size is best. These are most helpful for training new users.

How do you deliver your data flow diagrams - pdf, some sort of online help, printed documents?

Jenny.

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Lewis
To: Patrick and Jenny ; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 9:06 AM
Subject: Re: Enterprise software - reorganizing the help


Hi:

I lead larger-scale enterprise integration efforts at a large company by documenting As-Is (and some To-Be) situations. Ninty-eight percent (98%) of what I do is come up with a comprehensive, integrated understanding of essential functionality and, especially, a understanding of the interrelationships between these functions.

I use data flow diagrams because:

* Only DFD's focus on the interrelationships between functions.

* Only with DFD's can one document a whole bunch of software in parent-child relationship diagrams of about 8 1/2 by 11 in size. This is key to maintainability. If you have larger diagrams, trying to update them in rapidly changing environments becomes too hard.


Patrick and Jenny <pat_jen -at- hotmail -dot- com> wrote:
Hi

I'm interested in talking with people who document large enterprise software
systems.

We want to reorganize our help system so that it is easier to find info and
simpler to update. Currently we have three types of documentation: End-user
procedures (available from the Help menu in the app), Setup Guide (a
standalone chm), and Release Notes (a standalone chm). We also have printed
reference guides with technical information on advanced procedures and
setup, and details of all the screens including background calculations.

We have three different audiences - end-users, their support staff, and our
own high-level support group.

So, I'm wondering where to go from here. There are frequent updates to the
software (every 2 or 3 weeks), so whatever we decide to do, needs to be easy
to update.

Any suggestions? Anyone in a similar situation? How should we organize all
this information?

Thanks, Jenny.

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References:
Re: Enterprise software - reorganizing the help: From: Patrick and Jenny

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