Re: Value of Techwriters

[Romay Jean Sitze <rositze -at- NMSU -dot- EDU>]

On Fri, 2 Jun 1995, Ronni Perry wrote:

> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> I have to acknowledge that I have a somewhat different slant on this issue.
> Technical communicators are rapidly becoming
> much more than writers. We are emerging document engineers, and, with a
> sufficient body of research, will become acknowledged
> as such.  I think we should sell our services on this level, to the extent
 that
> it's true.  In other words, if we apply a systems engineering
> approach to document development and production, then we should be given the
> same level of respect as an engineer receives --
> we're just from another engineering discipline.

> Ronni Perry

According to my dictionary, the title engineer may be applied to:

3...b) a specialist in planning and directing operations in some technical
field,

4 a skillful or clever manager.

and as a verb:

1 to plan, construct, or manage as an engineer

2 to plan and direct skillfully, superintend; guide (a measure, action,
etc. through)

From this perspective, Ronni's comments are worth some serious
consideration.  To succeed as a technical writer/communicator, we must
plan, construct (documents, manuals, etc.) manage the process of
producing our product (the document, manual, etc.).  It takes a great
deal of skill not only to do the writing, but to work with those from
whom we must obtain the information to be included in our documents.
There is certainly some food for thought here.

        RoMay Sitze,  rositze -at- nmsu -dot- edu