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Subject:RE: Number of help topics per day? From:"Beth Siron" <beth -at- bdel -dot- com> To:"'techwr-l List'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:01:29 -0600
I work for an outdoor equipment manufacturer and I have actually had to wait
for an SME to return from Everest (and K2). I tell you, it really messes up
my stats.
Beth
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+beth=bdel -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+beth=bdel -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of
Geoff Hart
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 8:08 AM
To: techwr-l List; Mary Elaine Lora
Subject: Number of help topics per day?
Mary Elaine Lora wonders: <<Are there any statistics on average
number of help topics written per day?>>
There are statistics for anything you care to name, but most of them
are useless outside that specific context. In this case, the number
of topics is a meaningless metric. No, really.
To see why, ask yourself the following question: Does it take the
same amount of time for a topic that documents a function with a
single option (yes/no), or a topic that covers Word's Options dialog
(something like 10 tabs with dozens of control per tab)? Now ask a
crucial followup question: If the SME who can answer my questions is
in the next cubicle, and willing to let me look at his functional
specifications document, or are they off climbing Mt. Everest without
a satellite phone, having never bothered to create a functional spec
in the first place? Which help topic will be easier for me to research?
The better questions to ask are how much work is required per topic,
and what resources will be available to help you do that work.
<<I need to show management why a propose release schedule is
extremely unrealistic, as far as documentation is concerned. It
would certainly help my case if I could quote statistics from a
professional organization or recognized authority.>>
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
