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| 8 Steps to Successfully Managing your Documentation Projects |
| Step 4: Define Your Development Process & Stick To It |
| by Jan Johansen & Dan Sweigert |
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| Our first article in this series offered a high-level
overview of the 8 steps for successfully managing
your training & documentation projects. In this article,
we'll zero in on Step 4 - defining your development
process. |
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| After you've scoped the project, developed an
estimate, and selected your team (steps 1, 2 and 3),
the next step is to think through exactly what needs to
happen & when, document it in detail, and stick to it!
The process you define will be your roadmap to
success. |
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| What Tools Will You Use? |
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| First, decide how your final materials will
look, feel, and be developed. Here are a few
questions to discuss with your development team: |
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Does your client have specific requirements for the
development tools & applications you'll use? (e.g. -
Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, Dreamweaver, etc.)
- If so, be sure your versions are compatible with your
client's.
- If not, be sure to select the best tools for this specific
project. |
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How will the final materials be presented to the
user? (e.g. - CD, online, printed, etc.) |
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Who will be making future updates and changes?
Are they knowledgeable about the tools used to create
the materials? |
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For printed materials, what file formats & settings
does your print vendor require to produce the best
quality output? Contact your vendor before you start developing, document output requirements, and communicate it to your team up front. |
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