Developing Standards

[Ken Milne <Kenm -at- INTERLINQ -dot- COM>]

Hi-

Our organization is working out some standards issues. If you create
documentation for a software company that develops vertically marketed
software, can you help by responding to the following questions?

1)Did you help develop or revise technical communications standards at
your
organization?  If not, how were standards developed? How do you revise
them?

2) Were any published technical or industry-specific standards (e.g.,
The Microsoft Manual of Style) used as a foundation?  If not, can you
describe the process your
organization used to develop standards?

3) Did you create a style guide specifically for your organization?  Why
or
why not?

4) How often do you review and update standards?

5) What are the relationships like between writers and editors and
established standards?  Generally, do staff members agree or disagree
about
the current standards?  If they disagree, how are disagreements
resolved?

6) Are writers and editors in your organization also managers?  If you
are a
writer or an editor, is an editor your supervisor?

7) What publications, if any, do you consider "standard" for technical
communications groups that develop software?  Why?

Please send your responses off-list to Novakane9 -at- aol -dot- com or
kenm -at- interlinq -dot- com

Thanks!!

Ken Milne
Interlinq Software Corporation
Novakane9 -at- aol -dot- com
kenm -at- interlinq -dot- com

 TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send commands
   to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
  Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/  or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html