#19840
Information development organizations are under increasing pressure to implement single-sourcing or other automated and highly structured document development processes. Forces driving this trend include translation requirements, niche marketing, the convergence of software and documentation, and shrinking cycle times and budgets. Initially, these changes threaten to remove everything that is challenging and interesting about the technical writer’s work. However, technical writers who successfully adapt to this new environment will find more opportunity than ever to use their analysis and writing skills and to develop additional negotiation and process management capabilities.
Guthrie, Melissa L. STC Proceedings (2000). Careers>Content Management>Single Sourcing>Technical Writing
#27978
Estimating Resources in Technical Writing
Project management principles that can easily be applied to working as a documentation manager.
Prabhakar, Rahul. Blogspot (2006). Careers>Management>Project Management>Technical Writing
#31076
Finding the Right Technical Writer
A no-nonsense approach to finding a great tech writer, even when you don't know what to look for.
Springsteen, JoAnna. CIO Magazine (2008). Careers>Management>Interviewing>Technical Writing
#31708
Five Questions to Ask Yourself While Creating a New Documentation Department
Being asked to take the reins of a brand new documentation department is a challenge that many professional technical writers relish, even though the training and development activities they participated in may never have prepared them for such a rewarding challenge. This article looks at forming a new documentation department and determining what's needed, when it's needed and what resources are available to help the new department carry out its mission.
Butow, Eric. Writing Assistance (2006). Careers>Management>Documentation>Technical Writing
#24693
How to Hire Technical Writers: A Manager's Viewpoint 
Hiring technical writers is an infrequent but important part of a manager's job. Clearly defining the job and the required skills is the first step. Then use all of your networks to find candidates. Read résumés to find those that best match your requirements. The interview team needs to be prepared to ask relevant questions that verify and expand on the résumé and samples. Compare the interview team's evaluations, then check the references of your best one or two candidates, and make a prompt offer.
Huettner, Brenda P. and Ken Jackson. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#31713
How to Justify Hiring Technical Writers During Hard Economic Times
The marketplace for technical writers has often been challenging. In difficult economic times when companies seek to slash their budgets, it is often difficult for corporations to understand the need for a technical writer, let alone to understand the need to increase staffing in the documentation department. This article looks at the benefits of hiring technical writers, since their often diverse skill sets can be used across various departments in the organization.
Datta, Aparna. Writing Assistance (2007). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#31714
How to Market a Documentation Department
When you first ventured into the tech writing ranks, marketing the department was likely the furthest thing from your mind. You already had work to do, so marketing was somebody else's job.
King, Robert. Writing Assistance (2006). Careers>Management>Technical Writing>Marketing
#30076
Making a Big Business out of Technical Writing
Leveraging on the success of my business, DocuStar, this paper describes some of the strategies I have used to grow my one-person freelance gig into a business employing over 65 employees on our own premises and servicing over 200 hi-tech companies per year. While the profit margin may not match that of the up-and-coming dotcoms, the needs of the market foretell a solid and ever-growing future within the technical documentation niche. With a strong commitment to hard work, an adventurous excitement for conquest and a paramount and obsessive commitment to quality and integrity, technical writing can certainly be grown into a big business venture.
Sher, Barbara J. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#19896
Making a Big Business Out of Technical Writing
Leveraging on the success of my business, DocuStar, this paper describes some of the strategies I have used to grow my one-person freelance gig into a business employing over 65 employees on our own premises and servicing over 200 hi-tech companies per year. While the profit margin may not match that of the up-and-coming dotcoms, the needs of the market foretell a solid and ever-growing future within the technical documentation niche. With a strong commitment to hard work, an adventurous excitement for conquest and a paramount and obsessive commitment to quality and integrity, technical writing can certainly be grown into a big business venture.
Sher, Barbara J. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#31717
Making the Transition from Technical Writer to Manager
This article is a collage of ideas and experiences from some people who've made the leap from writer to manager. Although it's not a step-by-step guideline, it provides some compelling insight as to what individuals might expect as they transition into the management ranks. Even if you are an experienced manager, you might find these ideas helpful.
Capri, Steve. Writing Assistance (2007). Careers>Management>TC>Technical Writing
#20094
Managing Career Enrichment for Technical Writers
This paper explores how technical publications managers can create a department that provides career enriching opportunities and direction for technical communicators. The paper describes in detail four major ways: by providing training opportunities, by providing diverse assignments, by allowing participation in management issues, and by providing customer contact. The paper describes the benefits of each enriching opportunity to the technical communicator and to the manager.
Krasner, Arlene J. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#28371
Managing Conflicts within a Team of Writers
As much as you may try to avoid it, conflict among your employees is bound to rear its ugly head from time to time. While you may not be able to resolve all conflicts, with the right approach, you can manage many of them.
Prabhakar, Rahul. Intercom (2006). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#27977
Managing Conflicts within a Team of Writers
It is quite challenging for a manager to integrate a diverse group of intelligent and creative professionals into a single, cohesive unit. As much as you may try to avoid it, conflict among your employees is bound to rear its ugly head from time to time.
Prabhakar, Rahul. Blogspot (2006). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#30520
Managing Technical Writers by Wandering Around
Technology has reduced the need for managers to act as communication conduits. Instead they must add more quality to the work of their employees by wandering among them. Effective wandering means forgetting the telephone, using bull sessions, becoming a fifteen-minute manager, giving employees a vision, and looking at their work.
Dicks, R. Stanley. STC Proceedings (1993). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#24760
Current trends in Corporate America are changing the traditional role of technical communicators and creating new challenges and opportunities. Re-engineering the corporation, Total Quality Management, ISO 9000 compliance, and the continuing onslaught of the Information Age are all bringing formally 'invisible' technical communications functions into the limelight. It's not just writing and editing any more! As communication professionals and managers we need to upgrade skills and re-focus our efforts to become 'information managers.'
Anton, Kathy and Teresa J. Tarwater. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>Management>Documentation>Technical Writing
#22151
The transition to technical publications management can be difficult.
Williamson, Marty. ComTech Services (2002). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#31726
Starting a Technical Writing Business from Scratch
What does it take to start your own technical-writing business? Chutzpa! Insanity! I began mine by getting a loan from my local bank for my first computer to set up a home office. It was a Micron desktop 386, the fastest computer in town! That was nine years ago. I now have a nice office, a sizeable staff, and all the work I can handle, most of the time.
Nickolich, Ruth. Writing Assistance (2006). Careers>Management>Technical Writing
#29332
Strategies When Hiring a Technical Writer 
This article offers tips for project and development managers hiring a technical writer to document a software development project.
Kelly, William T. TechRepublic (2003). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#31162
Technical Writing: A Candidate for Outsourcing?
Nowadays, outsourcing seems to be a de facto approach in the IT industry. As a part of the software development process, it seems reasonable to consider technical writing as a candidate for outsourcing. Through this article, I propose to explore the pros, cons, risks, and opportunities for outsourcing your technical documentation.
Talbot, Fabrice. LiveTechDocs (2008). Careers>Management>Outsourcing>Technical Writing
#31732
Training Technical Communicators for Management
Identifying management candidates and training technical communicators before they get promoted to management positions can make for a very smooth and successful transition for both the candidate and the organization.
Erber-Stark, Jessica. Writing Assistance (2006). Careers>Management>Education>Technical Writing
#32209
Starting a Technical Writing Business from Scratch
What does it take to start your own technical-writing business? Chutzpa! Insanity! I began mine by getting a loan from my local bank for my first computer to set up a home office. It was a Micron desktop 386, the fastest computer in town! That was nine years ago. I now have a nice office, a sizeable staff, and all the work I can handle, most of the time.
Nickolich, Ruth. TechCom Manager (2006). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#32213
Hiring Contract Technical Writers
So you've got approval to hire a contract technical writer. Maybe it's for overflow work or a special project. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility and you want to do it right.
Hartmann, Scott. TechCom Manager (2005). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing
#32493
Interviewing Technical Writers
Surprisingly, my first experience as an interviewer was as uneasy as my first job interview. I then realized that being on the other side of the table is not as easy as it is made out to be, especially if conducting an interview is unfamiliar territory. Later on, as I matured into this role, I created a style of my own and soon found it to be an interesting and inspiring proposition, though challenging.
Bhanu, Sindhu. Indus (2008). Careers>Interviewing>Management>Technical Writing
#35415
Do We Need to Hire a Salaried Technical Writer or Should We Go With a Freelancer?
You are a high-tech/Bio-tech company and your first product is nearing release. The product requires documentation and you ask your self what are our options? Before deciding you should consider these factors.
Hurwitz, Charles. Freelance Technical Writing in Israel (2009). Careers>Management>Freelance>Technical Writing
#35630
Jane R. in Texas asks for some tips on interviewing tech writers, especially when using assessment tests. Her company is about to hire their first full-time writer and they have not done this before. I’ve worked on both sides on the fence in the past, (i.e. interviewed and been interviewed) and picked up a few tings in the process. Hopefully, these will be of some help.
Walsh, Ivan. I Heart Tech Docs (2007). Careers>Management>Interviewing>Technical Writing
