TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: posting a question From:Carma C Allen <ccallen -at- BECKMAN -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 7 Apr 1999 10:40:34 -0800
Jennifer asked:
>Expanding on the articles "Why ISO Consultants Hesitate to Use Technical
Writers" and "Working for an ISO 9000 Consultant" from the January and
Feburary issues of Intercom, what do you feel are the problems (or
benefits) with working with an ISO 9000 company?
Our company has been ISO certified (or whatever you call it) for about 5
years. The only difference between working here now as opposed to pre-ISO
is that our department operating procedures have to be documented and we're
subject to audit to assure compliance with what we've written. The
procedures are very general, no details, and if we change procedures we
just update the documentation. This isn't a major chore for a pubs group.
In other words, no special problems and no particular benefits--except the
company can advertise the ISO thing, which is purported to carry a
competitive advantage.
Carma
ccallen -at- beckman -dot- com
p.s. Wait, there is one advantage. Every year when we pass the annual
recertification (or whatever) audit the company throws a party.
