Technical Writing for the Systems Professional helps systems analysts, programmers, network professionals, and project managers communicate clearly to non-technical as well as technical readers. This workshop helps to conquer inconsistent format, poor organization, inappropriate tone, and muddy writing. The course covers researching and writing of such documents as user manuals, memos, status reports, business justifications, meeting minutes, systems requests, procedures, and specifications.
After completing this course, systems professionals will write:
- Status reports that give a clear and concise accounting of accomplishments, issues, and solutions
- User manuals that are easy
to understand
- RFPs that are so precise
as to avoid misunderstandings and cost overruns
- Specifications that result
in agreement from the user as well as accurate designs
- Budget plans that are persuasive
enough to obtain the systems they need
- E-mail messages that command
attention
- Memos that clearly describe
systems problems and their solutions
- Life-cycle documents that
are comprehensive and accurate
- Meeting minutes that are clear and well organized
Methodology:
A workshop format, including group discussion, critical review of each participant's writing samples, and handouts that address specific problems systems professionals face when writing. Handouts show model work plans, memos, status reports, minutes of meetings, design specs, and software documentation. Exercises help participants acquire such skills as breaking up lengthy sentences and paragraphs, eliminating wordiness, improving format, and developing a logical flow of ideas. Colorful posters help participants improve tone, punctuation, grammar, spelling, and capitalization.
Pre-Course Assignment: Two weeks before the start of the course, participants are required to submit typical samples of their writing and to complete a questionnaire, "The Systems Writing Audit."
Post-Course Follow-Up: Each participant has access to The Writing Hotline for one year following the training. Also, participants may fax documents for immediate feedback up to one month following the course.
Length of Program: Available in a 1 - or 2 - day format.
Recommended number of participants: 8-18