One Writer’s Perspective: How Structured XML Authoring Changes How You Work

About Me Writing the structured docs since 2001. Designing the structured docs since 2004. Implementing the structured docs since 2006.

Writing the structured docs since 2001.

Designing the structured docs since 2004.

Implementing the structured docs since 2006.

Hating Structure Filling in the blanks on a Microsoft Word template prevented me from giving the topic the unique treatment that it deserved.

Filling in the blanks on a Microsoft Word template prevented me from giving the topic the unique treatment that it deserved.

Hating Lack of Structure Starting with a blank document prevented me from expanding my influence in the project, the team, and the company.

Starting with a blank document prevented me from expanding my influence in the project, the team, and the company.

How Structure Makes Life Easier Researching Asking questions in meetings Drafting docs Getting reviews Putting features in perspective Updating docs Writing predictable docs

Researching

Asking questions in meetings

Drafting docs

Getting reviews

Putting features in perspective

Updating docs

Writing predictable docs

How Structure Makes Life Easier Structuring the documentation can change the way a whole project team thinks about features.

Structuring the documentation can change the way a whole project team thinks about features.

How Structure Makes Life Harder Changing you paradigm Accepting that information can be simple Learning many new technologies Inventing new delivery mechanisms Expanding your workload Writing for all outputs and for ease of localization

Changing you paradigm

Accepting that information can be simple

Learning many new technologies

Inventing new delivery mechanisms

Expanding your workload

Writing for all outputs and for ease of localization

How Structure Doesn't Make Life Harder Creativity Aesthetics Autonomy Job security

Creativity

Aesthetics

Autonomy

Job security

Thank You Amanda Cross Structured Writing Evangelist [email_address]

Amanda Cross

Structured Writing Evangelist

[email_address]