Review of Managing Writers: A Real World Guide to Managing Technical
Documentation
Managing Writers: A Real World Guide to Managing Technical
Documentation
Richard L. Hamilton,
XML Press, Ft. Collins, CO 2009
Review by Jeannine M. E. Klein, Ph.D.
Aside from the 1996 classic Managing Your Documentation Projects by JoAnn Hackos and its 2006 update, Information Development: Managing Your Documentation Projects, Portfolio, and People, few books exist in the specialized niche where management meets technical writing.
General technical management books abound; there is even a relatively
significant library on technical writing per se. But when it comes to
herding that particular species of cats known as technical writers,
few guideposts exist. Richard L. Hamilton addresses this void with
Managing Writers: A Real World Guide to Managing Technical
Documentation. Technical writers new to management should find the
book helpful when navigating the unfamiliar waters of HR, project
coordination, and technology acquisition; experienced managers new to
the technical writing team will appreciate the insights into this
specialized branch of technology.
Hamilton sets out his underlying theory of management in his
introduction: “I believe the most important function of a manager is
to set up an environment where writers can be productive; an
environment where writers are respected, given the tools they need,
shielded from interference from the corporation and its managers
(including me), and left alone to do their jobs” (p.5). Note the word
corporation—Hamilton’s experience is primarily at large companies
managing software documentation projects. His corporate experience
inclines him to HR paperwork and some of the technologies (for
example, DocBook) that require the heaviest lifting on the part of
technical writers as well as major investments of time and money.
Because of this slant, his book may be less useful to the self-managed
lone writer at a start-up or to the documentation manager of a small
team.
http://www.techwr-l.com/node/1109
Source: Techwr-l