White papers and Grey papers

While creating training material to educate project managers and technical staff on how to write technology whitepapers, I wanted to point out the difference between white and grey papers.

Klariti provides the definition of white, grey, and black papers as "There were typically three papers: white papers as we have discussed; Grey papers were for informative purposes; and Black papers detailed disavowed clandestine activities."

And then I came across this interesting article which gives some more insight. http://artsackett.com/grey_papers/why_grey.html

I guess for the marketing folks, Grey tending to White would 'work' well.

My take on the DDLC

I come across this question often enough from tech writer newbies who are green behind the ears. Most of these writers have faced a few interviews, and have come to realize that they would need to start at the basics. And since the basics start with processes lets start with that. I’ll first put down my thoughts and then provide a few links. Anyone wanting to know more, is most welcome to mail me. Leave me your email address as a comment, I promise to get back :)

The way I see it, the writing process is more or less like the SDLC (ah, please google for information on that) and it would almost always coincide with the DDLC. The table below gives you an idea about how I perceive

Phase: Analysis

• Figure out documentation requirements
• If it’s the first time the document is being developed - create and understand the user profile
• Understand and plan for document output
• Create documentation plan
• Based on output, get the tools, resources, and people
• Submit plan for review and approval

Deliverables

• User Analysis
• Project plan
• Project reports

Phase: Design

• Establish document/content specs
• Create detailed outline
• Estimate pages/graphics
• Plan/prepare style guide
• Create templates needed for the output
• Design the prototype (If it’s the first time the document is being developed)
• Revise project plan if required

Deliverables

• Detailed outline
• Project plan revisions
• Progress reports

Phase: Development

• Create prototype (If it’s the first time the document is being developed)
• Get approval
• Complete and publish style guide
• Create drafts for review
• Create graphics
• Revise and edit drafts
• Obtain approval
• Track hours, milestones

Deliverables

• Prototype
• Style guide
• Drafts with graphics
• Progress reports

Phase: Implementation

• Create appendices, glossary, index
• Final edit reviews
• Test the documents for technical accuracy
• Test the document functionality
• Test the document usability
• Provide final revisions and QA
• Obtain final approval
• Obtain client approval/sign-off

Deliverables

• Final drafts with graphics
• Progress reports

Phase: Finalization/ Wrap-up

• Prepare production requirements
• Oversee production, packaging, distribution
• Hold project wrap-up meeting
• Create and implement customer surveys, feedback
• Determine maintenance/update requirements

Deliverables

• Camera-ready copies with graphics, appendices, index, table of contents
• Production copies
• Progress reports
• Project wrap-up report

These are some links for further reading:
http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/imb/3star/sdlc/stds4.html

http://www.stcatlanta.org/newsletters/january05.htm

http://twin-india.org/html/downloads/DDLC%20and%20SDLC.ppt

Circa Feb 2005 to Dec 2005

It’s been a while since I got to writing here – and of course, I have a slew of excuses at aim at anyone who wants to know. :D

So ok, let’s fill the gaps from circa Feb 2005 to Dec 2005 of my adventure…

Feb to Sep 05
The time of my freelancing life! Life wasn’t all that simple, but it wasn’t unmanageable either… so many things happened in this time:

I worked on different projects – from plain simple user guides to content, marketing collateral, website content, FAQ generated in RoboHelp… Now, the last one was the most interesting.

Met so many people who made a lot of difference to my life; missed meeting a few others – don’t know how much of a difference that makes.

Missed out on the ‘regular’ social scene to the extent that I’ve felt like Robinson Crusoe sometimes. Would need to thank the few understanding souls who gave me the time and space to complete my work commitments.

Did a lot of things I didn’t think I would do, and then some! Maybe on the flip side, possibly didn’t do some things I should have! :D

Won some, lost some.

Learnt the art of negotiation, specially for the things that matter most.

Realized that contacts you never thought much of could turn out the best network contacts you’ve ever made, for work that is.

Looking back, I’d only say that I learnt some valuable lessons that only life and experience teach, nothing the books talk about and surely what they don’t teach you in B Schools [ah, am just borrowing a phrase, so don’t die and go to heaven on that one :)]

While my brain and stamina found 16+ hour days and work were completely engrossing and challenging, my health couldn’t handle the stress :) and so have had to put things on a hold. Putting my feet up – well, has been really difficult and my hands itch for the kind of pace and variety of work I handled…

So here I am, back to being a 10-7 kind of ‘employee’ - liking it in bits, but not sure I’d be happy this way too long :)

Reality of my dream

There are times when I feel on top of the world! Here's why...

1. I am this very brave woman who took the risk not many dare to (I am told this a hundred times a day!).
2. I have started of okay enough, thanks to some good friends/contacts who seem convinced that I could do a good job and referred me to some people.
3. I may, just may, achieve my 6 month projections. Hmm.. optimism ka limit nahin hai.
4. I have family and select pals really rallying for me. Dont know what I do without them.
5. I may not have to starve or beg in the near future! Hmm, and this when I was ready to slum it too! he he!

Hmmm... no matter what I achieve, no matter how far I go, I know one thing for sure. I am living the reality of one of my fondest dreams, whether or not I enjoy the moment, well, depends on the moment.

And yes! there are 2 more dreams to think about, lets see where we get!

Having a ball!

Hmm... I knew it wont be easy, but whoever warned me about the travails involved which have nothing to do with doing business:

- The maid doesn’t turn up on time. The cook too does a vanishing act. I’ve gotten so unused to cooking that I can’t summon up the energy or enthu to cook for myself.

- I get stuck on a flyover (right on top) in the noon heat! The darn thing just stopped. Sigh! Had the presence of mind to call the service guy (thankfully close to the place of the ‘incident’). They sent a mechanic – poor guy came on a bike himself, which I promptly pinched to deliver to his service center. And then on to go about my business. The silliest part? Calling clients/prospects and telling them am slipping on time..

- Client1 is at point X – meeting planned for 11-1pm. Prospect1 is at point Y – meeting planned at 4 pm. Irony is, X and Y are less than a km from each other. Had to come back home which was 5 kms away, eat lunch and then go out again! Any doubts why I resemble a crow right now?

- Courier and faxing… sigh. Where is the old office boy from ex-employer! Want to whistle for him. He he!

These arent really cribs.. you should hear me to make out the difference!

Temptation

I know this was a dream I wanted to make a reality and all that, yet it is tough to remember that every time I go some place to meet prospects. Dude/dudette meet, we talk, I show my portfolio, we talk some more, and then the question: Why don’t you join us full time? Tell us your price and we will try and match it!

And that is when the questions come fast and furious:
Is that all I amount to? Some thing that can be bought? Some thing that has a price?
Why do I have to contribute as a fulltime person? Why not as a consultant?
Why do I stubbornly stick on to this 'idea'? Why cant I work 'for' someone?

Some of the answers are within me. While some others are waiting under a cloud, to be unveiled…

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