Document Design: A Brief Primer  

Today's documentation must be designed with information retrieval as its key objective. When information is organized and mapped into a consistent, logical structure that uses retrievability aids such as labels that facilitate scanning, blocks of information, advance organizers for the information, keywords, meaningful indexes, and a hierarchical organization, readers can quickly locate and use the information that they need.

Flanders, Melanie G. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Documentation>Document Design>User Centered Design

Growing Your Practice by Managing Business Relationships  

Independent contractors and consultants know the value of working cooperatively with other professionals to complete complex projects. 'Other professionals' includes subcontractors, other independent contractors and consultants, and business partners. The formation of these kinds of strategic relationships can help meet the demands of today’s diverse markets and clients. This paper outlines some of the basic issues that surround business relationships, including planning (estimating and bidding), formalizing project-based contractual relationships, and exploring more permanent partnership arrangements.

Barker, Thomas, Ryan Bernard, Melanie G. Flanders, Rob Moschak and Nicole Wycislo. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Freelance>Consulting>Collaboration

Information Delivery: Single Source Documentation for Multiple Delivery Mechanisms  

Information for a software product is often presented in multiple places and in multiple formats, including printed manuals, quick-reference cards, online Help, online tutorials, online product information, and training materials. Delivery formats can include Acrobat Portable Document (.pdj files, he&n ( hlp) Jiles, HTML ( htm) files, PostScript Jiles, Write (wri) files, text files, and document book$les. Delivery media can include CD-ROM, floppy diskettes, magnetic tape, Web pages, and paper.

Flanders, Melanie G. and Nicole Y. Smart-Wycislo. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Content Management>Single Sourcing

Should You Incorporate?  

When you establish yourself as an independent contractor or consultant, you must choose the type of legal entity that your business will be. The decision to incorporate should not be made without first understanding the implications. In making this decision, some issues to consider are taxation, liability, control, and simplicity.

Flanders, Melanie G. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Consulting>Management