Policies and Procedures 1996 PIC Meeting  

This session is intended for those interested in (a) policies and procedures as a subject, (b) networking with others concerned with policies and procedures, (c) learning about this PIC, (d) influencing the direction of this PIC, or (e) listening, commenting, or volunteering. The first portion of the meeting will briefly review the PIC's history, mission, membership, budget, teams, goals, and progress. The second portion will be open to discuss new business.

Urgo, Raymond E. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures>Technical Writing

Bizmanualz

A large collection of articles, tips and useful information on writing policies and procedures and improving business processes.

Bizmanualz (2003). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures

Contracting and Consulting for Policies and Procedures Engagements  

As the number of persons employed by some U.S. organizations declined since the late 1980s, so have employment opportunities for Policies & Procedures (P&P) practitioners. During this period, the number of contractors and consultants has increased to meet the needs of newly changed organizations. A useful way for P&P practitioners to learn how they can provide contracting and consulting services is to understand three roles in leveraging such services: an extra pair of hands, expert, and collaborator.

Urgo, Raymond E. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Business Communication>Policies and Procedures>Technical Writing

Eleven Tips for Writing Incredibly Useful Procedures

Procedures are the meat and potatoes of technical writing. They help users get the job done. Follow these tips for writing clear and useful procedures that your users will appreciate.

HelpScribe (2008). Articles>Documentation>Policies and Procedures>Technical Writing

Plain Language Writing: From a Good Idea Emerges Good Public Policy

Peter Zvalo looks at the plain language movement, its promoters and its critics.

Zvalo, Peter. Writer's Block (2003). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures>Minimalism

Quality Documentation: ISO 9000 as a Process Model  

While ‘quality’ is no longer the most popular buzz-word, there is still a need for thorough understanding of what it means to document a quality program. In preparing for ISO 9000 certification, I developed useful techniques which can be used to improve quality in other documentation tasks. Even if you're not involved in ISO 9000, it can serve as a good general model for documentation management. This paper briefly describes the ISO 9000 standard and the process of certification, how documentation in a quality program is different than usual technical documentation. and some of the useful tools and techniques.

Magyar, Miki D. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Management>Policies and Procedures>Technical Writing

Security Policy and Procedures Documentation

With the nation intensifying its homeland security and industry focusing on computer security, the experienced technical communicator can assist with documenting procedures.

Albing, Bill. KeyContent.org (2004). Articles>Documentation>Policies and Procedures>Technical Writing

Writing Policies and Procedures in a U.S./South American Context      

This study explores two cases of professional communication among U.S. and South American personnel in one multinational organizaton in Quito, Ecuador.  The results suggest that implicit in U.S. rhetorics of professional communication are valorizations of writing as a mechanism of regulating behavior; of universalism and individual reference points as rhetorical strategies; and of common-law or precedent-setting logic as compositional and interpretive strategies.  However, many South American personnel seem predisposed to think of personal interactions as a mechanism of regulating behavior; of particular and collective reference points as rhetorical strategies; and of civil law logic as compositional and interpretive strategies.  Thus, widespread claims about the roles of writing to construct, mediate, or regulate organizational behavior need to be contextualized in the predominant rhetorical values of the organizational context.

Thatcher, Barry L. Technical Communication Quarterly (2000). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures>Ecuador

Writing Public Policy: A Practicum      

Practical experience teaches the difficulty and the messiness of democratic public policy processes. A discourse analytic perspective on rhetorical action in the institutional settings of policy work reveals the dynamics of effective agency. By simulating practical experience and by developing a discourse analytic perspective, academic instruction in professional and technical communication can show students what elected officials, governmental staff, and non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) do to make or to implement policy.

Smith, Catherine F. Technical Communication Quarterly (2000). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures>Government

Your Next Assignment: Computer Security Policy  

The recent rash of high-profile computer viruses and attacks has further exposed troubling weaknesses in computer security. The media and even some computer security experts would have us believe that hackers are the primary culprits against whom individuals and organizations must protect themselves. This article provides guidance for technical communicators tasked with planning, creating, and implementing computer security policy for their organizations.

Still, Brian. Intercom (2004). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures>Security

Policies and Procedures Writer, Analyst, or Subject Matter Expert: Who Do We Need?

Who should you contract to update an outdated policies and procedures manual–subject matter expert or a policy and procedure writer?

Urgo, Raymond E. Policies and Procedures Authority, The (2008). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures>SMEs

Plain English Is the Best Policy

The health care reform bill now under consideration in the House of Representatives includes a proposal that certain disclosures in insurance policies be made in “plain language.” Another piece of legislation now being considered by both houses of Congress would likewise require uniform and simplified coverage information, much like what’s required on nutritional labels. These are excellent proposals, but they do not go far enough. Plain-language disclosures of some policy information and consumer-friendly labels are no substitutes for making an entire policy readable.

Cogan, John Aloysius. New York Times, The (2009). Articles>Writing>Policies and Procedures>Minimalism