Re: More on Validating documentation

[Tkritr -at- aol -dot- com]

In a message dated 3/25/2002 7:59:31 AM Mountain Standard Time, 
ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com writes:

<< So, in your experience, are relationships with developers really as 
non-existent or dysfunctional as some threads on TECHWR-L would suggest? Is 
there really no sense of "we're all working together to make this overall 
product as good as we can make it"?
 
 If so, are _you_, as a tech writer, part of the solution, or part of the 
problem, or both? Why? >>

I've been a tech writer for ten years <every time I say that, I can't believe 
it>, both as a full time employee and as a consultant.  While many of my 
fellow tech writing co-workers have regaled me with their horror stories 
about working with developers, my experiences have been completely the 
opposite.

The first developer I worked with as a consultant completely spoiled me.  He 
actually told me to just ask him a question when I had problems, and would 
pretty much drop everything when I did.  I never thought that would happen 
again, but time after time I have met developers who were great and wanted to 
help as much as possible. 

Honestly, though, I do believe that how developers respond to me has a lot to 
do with my personality and how I approach my job.  I love being a tech writer 
and I'm interested in technology.  Developers do respect me more than other 
tech writers they have worked with, and have specifically told me that it was 
because I understood what they were talking about.  

Why is knowing what you are writing about important and part of the solution?
Because you don't have to ask for all-encompassing explanations, because you 
don't waste as much time (yours or the developers), and because (in my 
experience) it is the fastest way to gain respect and get the information 
that you are requesting. 

Communicating with the developers is as much a part of my job as 
communicating the technology back to end users.  The communication is just as 
challenging today as it was ten years ago, except now I have more experience 
and confidence to back me up.

Have a great week everyone!
Kirsten Petersen
technical writing consultant




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