Outsourcing Technical Writing

Outsourcing stirs strong emotions. Employees associate it with layoffs, reduced quality, and plummeting morale. Managers often don't understand the potential, thinking either that it will reduce their costs by large amounts or that it will make them obsolete, too. The truth is that, when done correctly, outsourcing often does not lead to layoffs, can lead to increased quality, and can even boost morale. Although the inflated savings that some managers have been led to believe are untrue (outsourcing can rarely, if ever, reduce content development costs by more than 60 percent), outsourcing can still be a win for both a company and its employees.Outsourcing Technical Writing: A Primer provides a comprehensive introduction to outsourcing technical writing. Barry Saiff, who has had extensive experience with outsourced content development, provides a roadmap for outsourcing success along with cases studies, a sample outsourcing agreement, and a sample plan. He also connects the success of outsourcing with management excellence and process maturity.

A practical guide to managing technical writing projects and tech writing departments, covering hiring, evaluation, management, internal and external customer relations, estimating and tracking tech writing projects, running a tech writing business as a solo contractor or as a manager, selling writing services, contracts and work orders, outsourcing, technical training development & delivery, and more.From the Introduction:"There are many books available on the techniques of technical writing, primarily for beginners and practitioners of tech writing. But there are very few books on how to manage the technical writing group in a company or how to manage a technical writing business (whether you're on your own as a freelancer or you have writers working for you). If you are a tech writer who manages other writers, or if you are a non-writer who manages writers, this book is for you.The sections on managing tech writing projects show a methodology specific to technical documentation. If you want to learn general management and project management techniques-and you should-that information already exists. What this book aims for is to provide you as a manager of technical writing with the specifics that you won't easily find elsewhere.Secondarily, this book aims to give new managers, and future managers, a leg up on how to actually run a technical publications group, based on some 20 years of experience in the field.There are different situations in which someone becomes a manager of a technical publications group. Sometimes a writer grows into the role within a company as the department grows, sometimes tech writers are subsumed under some other group - I've seen writers belonging to support, testing, marketing, and infrastructure groups - and the person in charge of technical writing in the company isn't actually a writer and may never have been one.Tech writers who set up their own freelance business have their own specific needs: not only are they the managers, they're also the writers. Finally, owners or managers of tech writing agencies, whether or not they are writers themselves, have business issues specific to a tech writing business to consider."Contents:Chapter 1 Introduction* A guide for technical writing managers* Writers who become managers* Managers who are not tech writers* Freelance tech writers* Tech writing agency owners* What's in this bookChapter 2 Tech writing for managers* A quick intro to technical writing* Technical editing* Technical writing and product management* Tech writing and debugging* What skills do technical writers need?Chapter 3 How to hire tech writers* Establish the requirements* Evaluate the resumes* Interview the writers* Review the samples* Give a test* Tech writers with non-tech writing experienceChapter 4 Managing a tech writing group* The role of tech writers in a corporate environment* The documentation team* Define standards* Distribute the work in your team* Involve the writers* Build teams* Monitor the work and communications* Evaluate the writers* Client relations* Communicating with other groups in your organization* Corporate tech writing* Re-use, repurposing, and content management systemsChapter 5 Estimating, tracking, and managing tech writing projects* Determine the project scope* Estimates and schedules* Assemble the team* Provide resources and leadership* Working with outsourced writers or outsourced SMEs* Track and report* Deliver the project* Evaluate the projectChapter 6 Running a tech writing business* Finding jobs* Marketing yourself as a freelance tech writer* Other marketing avenues* Managing your clientsChapter 7 Managing technical training* How to do tech training* Training program components* Training needs analysis* Training development* Training delivery* Training delivery management* Training program communication* Training budget* Set the tone: fun exploration* Training evaluation

This book examines the impact of outsourcing on the field of technical communication. Aided by new technologies and driven by global market structures, technical communication products that were once developed in the United States or Western Europe are now being developed in Asia, Eastern Europe, and other parts of the world. If technical communication follows other fields, such as information technologies, electronics manufacturing, and even textiles, this 'outsourcing' of technical communication products and jobs will surely influence our profession-but how? What kinds of jobs will remain in the United States? Which jobs are more efficiently handled outside the United States? How can U.S. technical communicators develop a 'comparative advantage' in the global economy? How can collaboration and joint development of information products be managed? What are the ethical, cultural, social, and economic dilemmas created by outsourcing?This collection is designed as a theory/practice book that addresses the needs of graduate students, faculty, and technical communicators who want to teach, practice, or conduct research in this area. It addresses technical communications and outsourcing in six different parts of the world, including the United States. It also explores issues of curriculum, project management, legal considerations, and intercultural communication problems.This title is suitable for: Technical communication professionals in academia and industry; managers, researchers, and teachers of documentation projects who are involved in offshore outsourcing situations and need to find best practices, strategies, or recommendations for being successful; technical writers (freelancers and corporate employees) working with international partners interested in how outsourcing can affect the future of their profession; non-U.S. writers working in outsourcing projects looking to perform satisfactorily in their jobs; undergraduate and graduate professors in universities and community colleges teaching courses in publications management, information design, international communication, and technical writing, and students enrolled in those courses; teachers and students in rhetorical theory and professional communication pedagogy courses; ESL (English as a second language) and ESP (English for specific purposes) readers.

As the digital economy changes the rules of the game for enterprises, the role of software and IT architects is also transforming. Rather than focus on technical decisions alone, architects and senior technologists need to combine organizational and technical knowledge to effect change in their company’s structure and processes. To accomplish that, they need to connect the IT engine room to the penthouse, where the business strategy is defined. In this guide, author Gregor Hohpe shares real-world advice and hard-learned lessons from actual IT transformations. His anecdotes help architects, senior developers, and other IT professionals prepare for a more complex but rewarding role in the enterprise. This book is ideal for: Software architects and senior developers looking to shape the company’s technology direction or assist in an organizational transformation Enterprise architects and senior technologists searching for practical advice on how to navigate technical and organizational topics CTOs and senior technical architects who are devising an IT strategy that impacts the way the organization works IT managers who want to learn what’s worked and what hasn’t in large-scale transformation

Welcome to a transformative journey tailored for solopreneurs eager to enhance their business through the strategic outsourcing of writing services. This guide provides a systematic approach to identify, plan, and manage outsourcing projects specifically tailored for writing tasks. By embracing the strategies outlined within these pages, solopreneurs will gain the confidence to navigate the complexities of outsourcing, thereby unlocking new levels of productivity and business growth. This guidebook is meticulously crafted to unveil the intricacies of writing projects, accentuating the pivotal role of proficient writers. Featuring 10 exemplary projects, each complemented by its project planning and management guide, this resource is indispensable for those seeking to elevate their proficiency in managing and executing writing projects successfully through outsourcing. Each project undergoes meticulous examination, providing readers with detailed guides covering every facet of project planning and management specific to writing tasks. This systematic approach fosters a deep understanding of the tasks and responsibilities integral to writing projects, highlighting the diverse and nuanced nature of these creative endeavors. The book delves into the unique challenges and tasks inherent in writing projects, shedding light on the indispensable role of writers in these domains. It showcases the spectrum of responsibilities these experts undertake, demonstrating their crucial contribution to the successful implementation and execution of projects. Acknowledging the pragmatic needs of its audience, the guidebook integrates custom planning sheets meticulously designed to streamline the organization and management of writing projects. Informed by the strategies and examples within, these tools empower readers to effectively apply their newfound knowledge to their writing endeavors. For solopreneurs, this guidebook is an invaluable resource. With its exhaustive project examples and adaptable planning tools, it equips professionals to attain excellence in project planning and execution. This not only enhances personal development and efficiency but also amplifies their contribution to the success and growth of their ventures in the dynamic landscape of writing services.

In today's increasingly competitive business environment, organizations must be able to adapt to the ever-changing business landscape where traditional business concepts no longer ensure success. The future will be driven by value and competing ideas-creating an environment where old alignments and equations will be replaced by a global network of

Every complex product needs to be explained to its users, and technical writers, also known as technical communicators, are the ones who do that job. A growing field, technical writing requires multiple skills, including an understanding of technology, writing ability, and great people skills. Whether you're thinking of becoming a technical writer, just starting out, or you've been working for a while and feel the need to take your skills to the next level, The Insider's Guide to Technical Writing can help you be a successful technical writer and build a satisfying career. Inside the Book Is This Job for Me? What does it take to be a technical writer? Building the Foundation: What skills and tools do you need to get started? The Best Laid Plans: How do you create a schedule that won’t make you go crazy? How do you manage different development processes, including Agile methodologies? On the Job: What does it take to walk into a job and be productive right away? The Tech Writer Toolkit: How do you create style guides, indexes, templates and layouts? How do you manage localization and translation and all the other non-writing parts of the job? I Love My Job: How do you handle the ups and downs of being a technical writer? Appendixes: References to websites, books, and other resources to keep you learning. Index

The development of online learning environments has enhanced the availability of educational opportunities for students. By implementing effective curriculum strategies, this ensures proper quality and instruction in online settings. The Handbook of Research on Writing and Composing in the Age of MOOCs is a critical reference source that overviews the current state of larger scale online courses and the latest competencies for teaching writing online. Featuring comprehensive coverage across a range of perspectives on teaching in virtual classrooms, such as MOOC delivery models, digital participation, and user-centered instructional design, this book is ideal for educators, professionals, practitioners, academics, and researchers interested in the latest material on writing and composition strategies for online classrooms.