The evolution of an information development process

ABSTRACT

In today's business climate of thin profit margins and lean staff, a Documentation manager faces the continual challenge of proving that writers are efficient and productive. One way to do this is to follow an effective information development process with every project. As a manager, a documented process helps you:Repeat successful project activitiesCreate realistic schedulesTrain new staff quicklyMove writers between projects as different needs ariseWork more effectively with other departmentsTo encourage continual innovation, however, your process must also be flexible and non-restrictive. This paper describes the challenges and opportunities of a well-defined information development process. The information is from my recent experience in leading our department's process development project at Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP).

REFERENCES

• 1: CORPORATE Carnegie Mellon University , Mark C. Paulk , Charles V. Weber , Bill Curtis , Mary Beth Chrissis, The capability maturity model: guidelines for improving the software process, Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc., Boston, MA, 1995
• 2: Hackos, JoAnn T. From Theory to Practice: Using the Information Process-Maturity Model as a Tool for Strategic Planning, In Technical Communication, November 1997, Volume 44 Number 4 (pp. 369-381).
• 3: JoAnn T. Hackos, Managing your documentation projects, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1994
• 4: MacDuff, Kevin M. (1999) Develop a Documentation Process, In Intercom. The Magazine of the Society for Technical Communication, April 1999 (pp. 6-8).

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.7 Distribution, Maintenance, and Enhancement
          Subjects: Documentation

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Management techniques (e.g., PERT/CPM); Staffing

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Management, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
capability maturity model, process, project management