Delegating

[James Barrow]

>Sharon Burton said:
>>Jim Barrow wrote:
>>
>>So how does one go from flying solo to flying in formation? ;^)  Should I
take the >>time to type my meeting notes so that the new resource can
convert these to >>requirements?  Should I just dump all of the information
in their laps and say 'call >>me if you have any questions'?
>>
>>Does anyone have any general advice on how to get new hires up-to-speed?
>
>Have the new writers shadow you. Take them to meetings with you so they can
start >taking those same notes. 

Easier said than done.  a) my manager is in Hawaii until the 16th and he
usually likes to do the introductions/training (he's a 'talker') b) I have a
9am meeting tomorrow morning c) our director insists on splitting up
resources in order to accomplish more.  This means that he will probably
disapprove of me taking two tech writers to one meeting, but I'll give it a
go.

>Also - be aware that the entire effort of your writing group will slow down
for about a >month while everyone learns.

This is not an option.  Tech writers, as well as the type of project that
we've undertaken, is new to our management.  They believe that a) tech
writers are nothing more than scribes and b) 50-page use cases should be
completed in a few hours.  The fact that poor management has stalled the
project for nine months is irrelevant.  It simply means that the tech
writers will have to type 300wpm.
  
>Any training that your company may offer in tools or technology will help
during this >time as well.

<chuckle>

>You can't just dump stuff on people. They will fail or at least struggle a
lot and then >everyone loses credibility.

That's what they did to me.  "Hi Jim, here's the link to the shared drive. I
think there's information out there that will explain what we're working on.
Good luck."

>Finally, don't bunk the new writers with the most unhappy and mentally ill
employee.

Hmmm...I'm going to have to drill down in the org chart to find that
person;^)

- Jim