Re: Developments in the review cycle

Subject: Re: Developments in the review cycle
From: "Peter Neilson" <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2016 07:20:36 -0400

On Wed, 06 Apr 2016 01:07:42 -0400, Erika Yanovich <ERIKA_y -at- rad -dot- com> wrote:

In the "good old days", tech writers followed the Outline-First draft-Second-draft-Camera ready model. We would submit an entire publication for review (perhaps with some minor TBDs inside) and the world was a simpler place.

What I see nowadays is more dynamic: partial drafts (or bunch of topics) sent to different reviewers at different times. The stages are blurred and the follow-up more complicated.

I know some of you don't believe in complete publications anymore, just in separate topics that get compiled daily (or whenever) into a larger entity, but publications are still alive and kicking out there.

So my questions are:
1. Do you also see this transformation?
2. If yes, how do you cope with it?
3. Should we manage each chunk separately according to the old model (sounds a bit crazy) or replace the old model with a new one?

Model seen recently:
- Bring contract tech writer in for last-minute assistance.
- Ask TW to "clean up" existing copy and add new stuff.
- Reject any planning activity--not enough time.
- Ask TW to read expert's mind to discover new stuff.
- Reject any use of time for cleaning up anything.
- Decide TW was unnecessary.

Elapsed time? One week. Billable time? Two days.

Fundamental reward to TW: Knowledge of exciting new technology.
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References:
Developments in the review cycle: From: Erika Yanovich

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