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Subject:Re: how long does "fixing" a document take From:Peter Neilson <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net> To:Carrie Baker <carriebak -at- gmail -dot- com> Date:Tue, 12 Jun 2007 07:22:47 -0400
It appears that there was a difference in understanding over what
actually needed to be accomplished. Your manager felt that the material
was technically perfect, since it came from the software developer, and
all you had to do was cross your eyes and dot the teas. Five minutes per
page, tops! You, as a competent technical writer, (and I as an ignorant
kibbitzer) felt otherwise.
It might not hurt to produce documentation plans for the recurrences of
this situation. Don't ask if you should write the docplans, just make
some, and show them to your boss. Perhaps you could describe various
approaches from "quick edit" to "involved analysis" and list the steps
involved in each. Then if she's in a hurry she can decide which steps
she wants omitted.
I've noticed that one often gets further by making the boss's job easier
than one does by arguing with the boss.
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