RE: what separates a senior tech writer from a regular tech writer?

["Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com>]

Dan makes an excellent point. Along with the criteria already listed in
other posts, there are a whole host of other potentially necessary
skills depending on corporate culture. An excellent senior technical
writer in a highly structured environment who is used to regular dev
meetings and working from functional specifications might fare poorly in
a non-structured environment in which what is required is lots of face
to face interaction and a bit of arm twisting. Ideally, an experienced
senior technical writer would be able to adapt to both environments,
perhaps merely preferring one to other while being able to perform well
in either, but that is the ideal. It's easy to imagine how an excellent
senior technical writer of a non-structured environment would feel
crushed in a highly structured environment while the excellent senior
technical writer of a highly structured environment would suffer daily
existential crises in non-structured environment.

Leonard C. Porrello
SoleraTec LLC
www.soleratec.com
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Dan Goldstein
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:00 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: what separates a senior tech writer from a regular tech
writer?

Am I the only one here who heard alarm bells?

Currently, Paul's a member of an undifferentiated team of (mostly)
experienced professionals. Someone wants to stratify them into a
hierarchy, but that person doesn't know the difference between a senior
and a junior team member.

First, tell us why someone wants to create the hierarchy. What problem
is this intended to solve, or what new opportunity is it intended to
create?

There are many different, correct ways to define senior and junior tech
writers within a company. Your answer will help us determine which
definitions might work best for you.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Kretschmer
> Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:20 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: what separates a senior tech writer from a regular 
> tech writer?
> 
> I've been asked to come up with a set of criteria for 
> senior tech writers and regular (junior) tech writers at 
> my workplace.  (Currently we are all just tech writers -- 
> there are no "seniors" among us, even though most of us 
> have been doing this for years and years.)
> 
> In your opinion, what are the important differences 
> between a senior and regular tech writer?  If you have 
> any ideas, please pass them along.  
> 

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