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:Restructuring of Tech Writing Dept. From:Julie Johnston <juliajaj -at- MEGSINET -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 4 Aug 1999 17:45:09 -0500
Hi everyone. I work for a company that has 8 employees in the tech
writing staff. Our overall department employees programmers, computer
support personnel, tech writers, and store consultants. We currently
have the following titles: documentation specialist (entry level),
documentation writer (2nd level), senior documentation writer (3rd
level), and supervisor. Our primary duties involve writing online and
paper documentation for our company's retail computer hardware and
software operations. In addition, we are responsible for developing and
maintaining our department's website and writing any marketing pieces
pertaining to the retail computer hardware and software. We're
considering revamping our staff's structure that would involve new job
titles, descriptions, duties, etc. At the present time, we are all
handling a little bit of everything, so nobody specializes in one
certain area. I'd be interested in hearing what other writers do that
work with a team of tech writers. How are job titles, descriptions,
duties handled? Is one person responsible for online content, another
responsible for web content, another for paper docs, another for
marketing, and another for editting/compliance to standards? I'd
appreciate any input. Thanks & have a great day!