The powerpoints for a half-hour presentation on how to collaborate successfully. This presentation was based in part on my previous presentation and article, "Coauthoring without Homicide."
2. Speaker Background
John Hedtke has worked in high tech for
over 30 years and has written documentation
and books for many leading software
products. John owns and operates Double Tall
Consulting, a company that provides writing,
consulting, and training services to private
and government clients in all fields. He also
runs a blog for people who want to become
authors at http://tradebookauthor.com.
When not otherwise occupied, John plays
the banjo, writes magazine articles, and
writes slogans for a button company. John is a
Fellow of the Society for Technical
Communication and serves on the STC’s
Nominating Committee.
3. What this presentation covers
• Why you should collaborate
• Why you shouldn’t collaborate
• How to collaborate successfully
• Tools and resources
• Summary
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4. Why you should collaborate
• You need an entry point.
• You don’t have the expertise.
• You’ll learn something watching your
teammates.
• You don’t have the time.
• You don’t have the energy.
• The boss says so!
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5. Why you shouldn’t collaborate
• If you could do it just as well yourself.
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6. Collaborating successfully
For whatever reason, you’re going to collaborate on a project.
Here’s how to do it without friction.
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7. Plan the work
• Build a comprehensive documentation plan!
– Scope and purpose
– Project description and list of deliverables
– Detailed outline
• Use a strong documentation plan format. You
can download a doc plan template here:
http://www.hedtke.com/downloads/!blank_d
oc_plan.doc
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8. Assign the work
• Attach someone’s name to every task.
– Content sections in the outline
– Reviewing
– Indexing
– Creating online help
– Releasing
– …and so on
• Tasks don’t have to be sequential.
• Make sure every task is covered!
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9. Do the work
• Get writing!
• Have regular meetings to report progress to
each other.
• Keep copies of everything.
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10. Avoiding problems
Collaborating can lead to incredible friction even under the best
of circumstances. Here are some tips on how to avoid on-the-job
mayhem.
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11. Mind your boundaries
• Boundary violations are the single biggest
problem.
• Don’t get frisky!
– If you think you can do something better, discuss it.
– Don’t be a cowboy.
• Don’t be surprised if someone else gets frisky.
– Work it out.
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12. Identify a decision-making process
• Figure out who makes final decisions.
• Resolve as many issues up front as possible.
• Give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
• Play nice!
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13. Negotiate changes
• Announce changes to one and all.
– Whiteboard
– Group emails
– Wiki
• Be excruciatingly clear.
• Don’t be afraid to swap assignments, but
make sure it’s okay with everyone first.
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14. Tools and resources
Here are suggestions for a few tools and resources that will help
you collaborate.
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15. Tools for collaborating
• A chat client (even if you’re all together).
– Skype is my fave but there are dozens of others
• Reliable email.
• Safe file-sharing.
– FTP
– Versioning software (such as Perforce)
– Don’t use Google fileshare or DropBox
• Use the same software throughout.
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16. Resources for collaborating
• Documentation plan template and info are at
http://tradebookauthor.com
• Book: “Managing Virtual Teams”
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18. Key points to remember
• Plan what you’re going to do.
• Don’t get frisky.
• Keep in touch with each other.
• Play nice.
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20. Thank you!
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John Hedtke
Double Tall Consulting
2171 Kingfisher Way
Eugene, OR USA 97401
john@hedtke.com
hedtke.com
tradebookauthor.com
Feel free to email or write if
you have questions.
