RE: what separates a senior tech writer from a regular tech writer?

["Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com>]

The distinction is similar to that between a "programmer" and a
"software engineer."

A senior technical writer needs to understand fully the product
development lifecycle of his industry and the role/place of writing in
that lifecycle. For example, a senior technical writer in the software
development industry should understand waterfall, iterative, and agile
methodologies of software development, how writing fits into each, and
the risks of each. He or she must also understand and be capable of
executing the entire lifecycle of document development from planning
through final delivery. This means being able to scope, author, edit,
and proof to a professional level. Ideally, the senior technical writer
should be experienced with all of the major modalities of technical
writing (traditional, minimalist, info mapping, DITA, single sourcing,
on-line help vs. paper, etc.) and be sage enough to determine which
modality would be best for any given exigency.

Leonard C. Porrello
SoleraTec LLC
www.soleratec.com
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Paul Kretschmer
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:20 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: what separates a senior tech writer from a regular tech writer?

Greetings,

I've been asked to come up with a set of criteria for senior tech
writers and regular (junior) tech writers at my workplace.  (Currently
we are all just tech writers - there are no "seniors" among us, even
though most of us have been doing this for years and years.)

In your opinion, what are the important differences between a senior and
regular tech writer?  If you have any ideas, please pass them along.  

Thanks,

Paul

 

 

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