RE: CBT tools and project management?

[Tom Johnson <johnsont -at- starcutter -dot- com>]

On Monday, February 12, 2001 12:26 PM, Andrew Plato wrote, in part:
> Lastly, there is the issue of perspective. It is often very helpful to 
have
> outsiders, who have no stake in a company, to document the products. 
Outsiders
> will have fresh perspectives and ideas.  All too often, internal people 
get
> very comfortable using the same trite expressions and tone. It can be 
useful to
> outsource work to get new language into the environment.

In Andrew's post, he gave what is probably very sound advice. However, 
there is one problem I've seen with outsourcing. Consultants frequently 
offer good advice, perhaps even most of the time. But, without them having 
a stake in the company, you do have to be careful to look at their advice 
with a fair amount of skepticism and a "what if" attitude. There are those 
who want to apply a method or technique that they feel is good for every 
situation. A lot of times this is how they are most comfortable or 
proficient at working. It may not be what is best for you. Be prepared for 
some wrangling and explaining to them (the consultants) why their proposed 
method would not work for you. You know your product and they don't. Their 
solution may be ideal for software training, but if you need to train about 
hardware, it might not work. Get them to really explain why one approach is 
better than another. If they don't seem to realize who their customer is 
and not listen to your input, I'd find someone else to work with.

I've seen situations where consultants just don't get it when you say you 
don't want this whiz-bang technology used. They seem to think the people 
who hired them are Luddites. Hopefully, the consultant you are working with 
is open to two-way communication. If they are, you can learn something from 
them and they will be better prepared to help you on the next go-around.

> I realize a lot of writers see the use of outsourced technical 
publications as
> a threat to their job. I won't lie to you - it is. But understand the 
reason is
> not necessarily because you write bad documents. There are some strong 
business
> reasons why companies outsource work like training and documentation.

There are also good reasons to be careful who you work with.

> So, my suggestion, Emily, is get to know the outsourced freelancer and 
learn
> what he/she does.  This person may be able to teach you how to do 
training and
> then you can offer your services to your company in a cost effective way.

Exactly.

>
> Good luck.
>
> Andrew Plato
>
>

Tom Johnson
Technical Writer
Elk Rapids Engineering Div., Star Cutter Company

johnsont -at- starcutter -dot- com - work
thomasj -at- freeway -dot- net - personal


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Develop HTML-Based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 ($100 STC Discount)
**WEST COAST LOCATIONS** San Jose (Mar 1-2), San Francisco (Apr 16-17)
http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.

Sponsored by ForeFront, Inc., maker of ForeHelp Help authoring tools
for print, WinHelp, HTML Help, JavaHelp, and cross-platform InterHelp
See www.forehelp.com for more information and free evaluation downloads

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot-  Visit 
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.