Early Involvement: Writing at Product Design Time  

Lead writing is a process that moves the information development cycle into the product development cycle. Writers and programmers work together from the beginning to produce both code design and supporting information. This process ensures that information developers can actively participate in design, and programmers can contribute to supporting documentation. Both groups gain an appreciation for each other's perspective, expertise, and skills, producing a more customer-oriented product.

Coppola, Carolyn M. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Documentation>Writing>Technical Writing

Harnessing the Earthquake: Reaching Group Consensus When Changing the Documentation Process  

A causal-analysis session is a problem-solving method that brings groups of people together to jointly solve common problems and make process changes. This method ensures that everyone who will be affected by a process change has the opportunity to provide input and agree to the solution. In large departments, reaching group consensus is a challenge. This paper presents our department's implementation of the causal-analysis method.

Coppola, Carolyn M. and Kristine Logan. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Documentation>Collaboration

"Slapping" It Online: Is It Really So Bad?  

Moving vast quantities of information online has been a challenge. While we believe the screen is not the page, we have moved hardcopy documents online with little transformation. Our customers have responded positively. We are not sure if our customers are really satisfied with the online version, or if they just use the online version as an access method to hardcopy information. If they are truly satisfied, should we follow tested models to improve the online version, or accept and design for our customers' reliance on hardcopy material?

Coppola, Carolyn M. and Joanne Oakley. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Web Design>Online