Managing Documentation Projects in a Collaborative World - New Best Practices for Editors

As part of the September 2010 SIG quarterly teleconference, guest speaker Larry Kunz will present “Managing Documentation Projects in a Collaborative World - New Best Practices for Editors.”

When: September 23, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Eastern
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Presentation Description

This talk covers the process for developing technical information and describes how it is changing—particularly in light of two major trends in the technical communication profession: Collaboration, or “Web 2.0,” and Agile development. Most of the material is taken from my 2010 STC Summit session, "Managing Documentation Projects in a Collaborative World," which was later adapted into an STC webinar and also published as an article at http://www.writersua.com/articles/managing-documentation/index.html.

The talk covers best practices for planning and managing projects when documentation is developed collaboratively—rather than using the traditional one writer-one deliverable model—and when product features are constantly being added or changed in response to feedback from customers. The trends described are so new that, in many instances, the best practices are still being discovered.

The original talk covered best practices in four different areas; this time, however, I’ll zero in on one of those areas: editing. The ideas I present are based on my own experience and what I read in the trade press and in blogs. However, mindful that I’m speaking to a roomful of experts, I expect the last part of the session to be a discussion about what editing best practices should be in the new world of Web 2.0 and Agile.

How to Participate

Access the Handouts in Advance: Download the presentation handouts before the event. They will be available in the file gallery several days in advance.

Join the Teleconference: See the Teleconference Information page for telephone numbers and instructions for joining the call. Callers from outside the United States and Canada should apply for a toll-free number at least two days in advance (see the Teleconference Information page).

Join the Online Chat: Go to the SIG's Live Chat page to chat with other participants in real time during the event.

Access Additional Materials: After the event, download the chat transcript from the file gallery.

Cost

This SIG event will be open to Technical Editing SIG members and non-members:

• TE SIG members – $0
• Other STC members - $10 (The cost to join our SIG for the rest of the year!)
• Non-members - $70 (The cost to attend this event only, as a non-member)

Speaker profile

Larry Kunz is a project manager and information architect with Systems Documentation, Inc. (SDI) Global Solutions in Durham, NC. In over 30 years as a writer, manager, and planner he has experienced the transition from book-based documentation to today's integrated delivery of information from a wide range of sources using different formats and media.

Larry has managed and provided content for technical writing projects and marketing projects. He holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the George Washington University and teaches a Managing the Information Development Process course in the Technical Communication certification program at Duke University. He is a Fellow in the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and in 2010 received the STC President’s Award for heading up the Society's strategic planning effort.

Larry has presented at many STC international and regional conferences, most recently at the 2010 STC Summit in Dallas, Texas.

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