Episódios
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As content creators, we are constantly at the edge of our seats as we try to juggle multiple content deliverables. How do we strategize and manage stakeholder expectations?
Robert Mills, the founder of Fourth Wall Content, joins me with techniques and insights into collaborative content prioritization. With a journalism and content operations background, Robert shares the power of clear communication and methods you can employ to ensure your workflows and content efforts are efficient and effective.
Discover four decision-making techniques: dot voting, the MoSCoW method, the RICE method, and the five whys. Robert and I dissect each technique, revealing how they can be leveraged for in-person and remote collaboration. Whether you're managing a major website overhaul or juggling a slew of content requests, these methods offer a structured approach to prioritization that can be adapted to any team or project context.
Effective content strategy goes beyond mere tools—it's about managing inventories, creating seamless user journeys, and engaging stakeholders with empathy and data-driven decisions. Robert’s practical advice on starting with simple tools like spreadsheets will resonate with anyone looking to streamline their processes without breaking the bank. Tune in to uncover how to balance collaboration with quick decision-making, build trust within your team, and drive your current initiatives.
Guest Bio
Robert Mills is the founder of Fourth Wall Content, working with clients on content strategy, content design and content operations. He has recently worked with Marie Curie, the RAF, Natural Resources Wales, Social Care Wales and NHS England.
Rob is a journalism graduate and has previously worked as Head of Content for a Saas company, Studio Manager and Head of Content for a design agency, and as an Audience Research Executive for the BBC.
He’s an experienced copywriter and editor, a published author, and speaks about content strategy at leading industry events or on podcasts. -
Can outdated training data and hallucinations in large language models (LLMs) hold back your AI projects?
Engineer-focused article on RAG for Stack Overflow - Manny Silva Taking RAG to Production with the MongoDB Documentation AI Chatbot- Ben Perlmutter from MongoDB
Manny Silva joins us to uncover Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), a technique that improves the output of LLMs. He shares practical insights with real-world applications that ensure AI-generated responses are accurate and contextually relevant.
The future of content creation is going to be automated. Manny reveals how we can cut down the time required to produce first drafts by using developer tools and open-source communities. Learn about integrating engineering and design documents, and templates from the Good Docs Project, all optimized for LLM inference.
This episode also explores the delicate balance between AI and human creativity in writing, emphasizing that while AI can handle initial drafts, human input is invaluable for refinement. Tune in for a compelling discussion that will transform how you approach AI and content creation.
Link to the video demo for RAG. The demo runs from 43:10 to 49:30.
Guest Bio
A tech writer by day and engineer by night, Manny Silva is Head of Docs at Skyflow, codifier of Docs as Tests, and the creator of Doc Detective. He’s passionate about intuitive and scalable developer experiences and likes diving into the deep end as the 0th developer.
ResourcesShow Credits
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Kieran Morgan and I connected to discuss how to manage projects and priorities as technical communicators, particularly in agile environments. With Kieran's vast experience in operations and governance, he shares strategies that can empower you as a writer to take charge of your workload without the luxury of dedicated project management support.
Planning: Essential for successful project execution.Scope Definition: Crucial for project success.Simple Tools: Excel for tracking.Negotiation: Key skill with stakeholders.Cognitive Psychology: Enhances documentation effectiveness.
From the importance of planning to the art of negotiation with stakeholders, our conversation dives into project management skills vital for technical writers. As we unravel the complexities of defining scope, scheduling, and budgeting, Kieran offers invaluable advice for those new to the field. Discover how embracing formal training in basic project management skills can be a game-changer, extending beyond mere schedules and trackers to encompass a holistic view of project execution, including risk and stakeholder management.
Lastly, we bridge the gap between cognitive psychology and technical writing, shedding light on how a deeper understanding of the 'why' can transform documentation into a more effective learning tool. We explore the power of visuals, the importance of content chunking, and the necessity of tailoring documentation to the needs of a majority user base to avoid scope creep.
Key Takeaways:Guest Bio
Kieran Morgan is an author and entrepreneur. As the founder of Boffin Education, he is passionate about applying his diverse skill set in leadership, operations, and documentation to the challenge of building a knowledge business.
His 2015 book, Technical Writing Process, is a top-seller on Amazon with over 9,000 copies sold (books + templates). A new edition of the Technical Writing Process (2024, 2nd ed.) brings the content with up-to-date information for modern technologies and recent developments in industry best practices. Head over to the home of the Technical Writing Process (2024, 2nd ed.) on Boffin Education.
In addition to his entrepreneurial and authorship experience, he's also an experienced program and operations manager, with strong expertise in planning and pitching new programs, facilitating governance forums, and leading complex programs.
Resources
Boffin Education is offering a 10% discount on their project management courses for technical writers. Use this code 44EF3D to avail of the discount.Show Credits
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Curious about the publishing requirements and nitty-gritty of regulated content? Just one compliance slip can mean lost time and dollars. Tune in to this episode to discover how Quark Software can help you cut costs and enhance your compliance, collaboration, and automation efforts.
Blog on regulated content A White paper that explores the shifting dynamics between in-house, hybrid vendor, and platform & ecosystem approaches for implementing a content automation solution.Quark Security Center - A central repository for security documentation
Richard Worrell and Emerson Welch from Quark Software join us for a riveting discussion on the ins and outs of regulated content creation, where every detail matters. You'll learn strategies to ensure your documentation is bulletproof against the most stringent regulatory standards. Prepare to understand the weight of non-compliance and how aligning with corporate styles and guidelines isn't just about ticking boxes—it's about safeguarding your brand's integrity and market presence.
With regulated content, collaboration is key. Rich and Emerson walk us through the advantages of using Quark Publishing Platform. By leveraging tools like Microsoft Teams within Quark's advanced workflow engine, we learn how multiple authors can seamlessly contribute to a single document simultaneously—an orchestration that not only maintains compliance but accelerates content delivery.
Lastly, we talk about how Quarky, the artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, can assist with managing multilingual documents. We explore how the AI assistant can identify reusable content, streamline quality assurance, and refine content strategy.
Resources to check outGuest Bios
Emerson Welch, VP Global Marketing at Quark, is responsible for driving Quark’s marketing strategies to strengthen the company’s market position to support business growth. With over 25 years of B2B software product and brand marketing experience, Emerson has successfully led marketing teams for small startups, channel partners and large enterprises. His technology expertise in content automation, creative collaboration workflows, ERP, CRM, IT support services and more, has resulted in a consistently strong track record of enabling sales to grow revenue through a proven combination of evangelism, simple messaging, innovative content and targeted demand generation campaigns.Richard (Rich) Worrell, Quark's Enterprise Senior Product Manager, leads a global team dedicated to driving content automation and intelligence solutions for large-scale organizations. He is responsible for delivering Quark's product strategy and its enterprise product roadmap. With expertise in enterprise architecture and a proven track record in product roadmap development, Richard leverages his deep understanding of enterprise dynamics to drive technical innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions to customers.
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As technical communicators, this challenge most likely resonates with you -- how do you keep docs in sync with your product? In the words of Manny Silva, "When product updates are frequent and user expectations are high, maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation isn’t just a necessity—it’s a competitive advantage."
Docs as Tests blogDoc Detective Github (open to contributions!)Doc Detective documentation (open to contributions!)Doc Detective Discord channel (for questions and contributors)
Manny proposes. Docs as Tests, a strategy that keeps your docs in sync with your product. It’s a way to test your docs, just like engineers test their code.
As Manny joins me, we unravel the story of Doc Detective—an innovative tool that challenges the status quo by ensuring documentation remains in lockstep with product functionality. Through a case study and demo, Manny shares how Doc Detective tests your content against your product UIs and APIs to ensure that your docs are always accurate, complete, and relevant.
Where can you view the demo?
View the demo (24:04 to 34:24) at this link.
ResourcesEvents to attend where Manny will be presenting in 2024
Write the Docs, Portland Linux Foundation Open Source Summit on April 18thSTC Summit on May 17thGuest Bio
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A tech writer by day and engineer by night, Manny Silva is Head of Docs at Skyflow, codifier of Docs as Tests, and the creator of Doc Detective. He’s passionate about intuitive and scalable developer experiences and likes diving into the deep end as the 0th developer.
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The humble notes serve a larger purpose - be they a simple list, recipes, or essential information we jot down for later recall and planning. We sit down with Jorge Arango, the coauthor of Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond, to unlock the secrets of note-taking.
Our first episode of the season with Jorge is more than a conversation; it's a roadmap to redefining how we handle the barrage of digital information overload. His latest work, "Duly Noted," offers deep insights into how we benefit from good note-taking and note-making practices. We discuss the evolution of thought organization and how technological advancements enable us to manage our ideas, reflections, and discoveries with newfound clarity by using digital tools.
Jorge helps us envision a future where AI isn't a threat but a collaborator, amplifying our creative processes. Tune in, and transform the way you gather, organize, and leverage knowledge in a highly digitized world.
Don't forget to purchase your copy of the book with this discount code ITCPOD for 20% off the price of the book, Duly Noted. This code is valid for only 30 days after April 4.Guest Bio
Using AI as an Assistant to Organize Content
Jorge Arango is an information architect, author, and educator. For the past three decades, he has used architectural thinking to bring clarity and direction to digital projects for clients ranging from non-profits to Fortune 500 companies. He’s the author of Duly Noted: Extend Your Mind Through Connected Notes, Living in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places, co-author of Information Architecture: for the Web and Beyond, and host of The Informed Life podcast. Besides consulting, writing, and podcasting, Jorge also teaches in the graduate interaction design program at the California College of the Arts.
Suggested ReadingShow Credits
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Prepare to step into the future of technical writing as we explore the ground-breaking intersection of AI and technical communication with Caity Cronkhite, CEO of GoodWords. As an entrepreneur and subject matter expert, Caity offers invaluable insights on how AI is revolutionizing the process of technical writing.
The Good Words Blog: https://goodwordswriting.com/blog/Our website: https://goodwordswriting.com/Our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/good-words-llc/
While we touch upon the empowering facets of AI, Caity shares with us the valid concerns on data protection and risk understanding that are presented with AI.
We also delve into the controversial topic of AI replacing staff in the technical communication space – a future that seems more probable than ever. What does this mean for you as a writer? Caity shares her expert advice on how to gain exposure and experience with AI tools and how to navigate the risks associated with them.
Guest Bio
About the founder: Caity was born and raised on a remote farm in rural Indiana. She eventually left her prairie roots to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where she received a degree in Technical Writing and Communication. After college, Caity went west—first to the San Francisco Bay Area, then to Seattle—to start her career as a technical writer and, eventually, an entrepreneur. She is passionate about using her personal and professional experience to uplift others, including advocating for increased labor and wage protections for freelance workers and creating a company that empowers its employees with meaningful career opportunities no matter where they live.
Caity currently lives in Seattle, Washington. When she’s not running her company, she enjoys gardening, bodybuilding, road trips, mentoring, and restoring her historic Seattle home.
About the business: Caity Cronkhite is the founder and CEO of Good Words LLC. Good Words is the premier technical writing and communications consulting firm, delivering ongoing strategic, management, and implementation support for our clients’ technical writing needs. Good Words’ consultants bring their concise and accurate writing skills and ongoing strategic plans to streamline even the most complex communications for some of the most technically sophisticated companies across industries, from Fortune 500 companies to 5-person startups. For more information, visit us at www.goodwordswriting.com.
Some resources worth checking out:Show Credits
Intro and outro music - AzAudio engineer - RJ BasilioShow notes generated by AI and curated by me.
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Has your team decided to do away with visuals in product documentation? Or are you struggling to maintain visuals with the rapid and frequent pace of content updates? If so, then this episode is for you.
Research hub which includes:Value of VisualsUltimate Guide to Simplified User Interface Graphics (SUI)The Ultimate Guide to Easily Make Instructional VideosTechSmith Academy: Writing Helpful Help (especially for someone getting started as a technical communicator)Simplify Tool in Snagit (tutorial)Smart Move in Snagit (tutorial)Camtasia AI Background Removal (beta feature)Audiate
Keeping up with a rapidly evolving tech landscape and maintaining relevant visual content can be daunting. But, the power of visuals can't be undermined. In this insightful conversation, Daniel Foster shares how TechSmith is harnessing the power of AI in its software to create an efficient, streamlined process for creating visuals. From AI-assisted video editing to audio improvement, understand how these tools can create cost-effective content. It's all about making AI work for you, simplifying processes, and enhancing user experience. Join us on this exciting journey of redefining content creation in the tech industry and optimizing visuals.
Guest Bio
Daniel Foster is the director of strategy at TechSmith (developer of Snagit and Camtasia), the market leader in screen capture software and productivity solutions for in-person, remote, or hybrid workplace communication. Daniel has 20+ years of software industry experience spanning product strategy, marketing, communications, and community building. In his role, Daniel defines the strategic direction of the company’s products and identifies new ways to help hybrid and remote teams work more efficiently with enhanced clarity. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn and Twitter. For more information, visit www.techsmith.com.
ResourcesShow Credits
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Are you curious about simple ways to make your content universally accessible? Or perhaps you're keen to get a fresh perspective on understanding accessibility? Join us as Lindsey White, an accomplished technical writer, shares her in-depth insights and experiences from her stint managing a department website at Cornell University. We explore the significance of universal design and consider how content can be accessible to all users.
https://www.w3.org/WAI/https://developers.google.com/tech-writing/accessibilityhttps://webaim.org/
Lindsey sheds light on the nuances of intentional language choices and the application of accessibility best practices. Lindsey shares the intriguing concept of the 'curb cut effect' and how it can revolutionize our understanding of accessibility across fields.
As we round off our discussion, Lindsey and I examine the pros and cons of AI as an assistive technology. We delve into the complexities of balancing AI's benefits with the indispensability of empathy, manual checks, and human input. Lindsey shares resources and courses that can further deepen our understanding of accessibility, including the Google's Tech Writing for Accessibility course. So, if you're eager to make your content more accessible, buckle up for this insightful episode!
Guest Bio
Lindsey White is a Technical Writer at Blackbaud. Her interests in user experience and accessibility come in part from her past roles in web-content management, marketing communications, copywriting, and editing. Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/lindseydwhite/.
Resources shared in the episode
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Ever wonder how AI tools can give you an edge in content creation? Join us as I chat with Matt Thomas, who has journeyed from the realm of technical writing to the world of copywriting and content creation.
Unveiling the secrets of his craft, Matt shares how he brings innovation and brainstorming to the fore in copy creation. Get a glimpse of his creative process, where he uses AI tools to create and curate content for LinkedIn posts and copywriting.
If you are curious about how to optimize prompt engineering or looking for valuable tips to create actionable content, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready for a thought-provoking chat that will inspire you to look at AI tools and content creation from a unique perspective.
Guest Bio
Matt Thomas has 13 years of experience as a technical writer, specializing in creating user-friendly documentation, instructional materials, and online content.He’s worked as a tech writer across multiple industries to produce deliverables that range from traditional print manuals to interactive online resources.
In addition to his technical writing background, Matt is also the in-house copywriter for TacoTime Canada, a freelance copywriter, and an up-and-coming content creator on LinkedIn.
Since last November, he’s gained over 1.3 million impressions on LinkedIn, had his work reshared by one of the biggest creators on the platform, and had multiple posts go viral.
You can check out Matt’s content and follow him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perfectproseyyc/
You can also sign up for his newsletter waitlist at www.perfectprose.ca
Jordan Wilson - 'Everyday AI' show hostHeather Murray - author of AI for Non-TechiesRob Lennon - Coach and thought leaderIsabella Bedoya - MarketingPros.ai NewsletterParves Shahid - Simplifies AIMax Rascher - AI for business and automation
People that Matt follows on LinkedInShow Credits
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Curious about the future of technical communication in the rapidly evolving AI landscape? Today's episode with our talented guest, Ryan Boettger, a distinguished professor and department chair at the University of North Texas, promises to enlighten you. Ryan is a ‘prompt engineer,’ someone who acts as the valuable link between AI and humans. From his unique perspective informed by a rich background in linguistics and technical communication, Ryan brings you the latest on how socio-linguistics can inform research and curriculum related to AI.
We discuss the value and challenges of Technical Communication as a standalone department. Ryan shares candid insights on the struggle technical communicators face to be recognized within traditional humanities and other fields, like product management, engineering, and user experience. He sheds light on funding challenges that often put Technical Communication departments on the chopping block during layoffs. But, it's not all gloom and doom. Ryan’s passion for ensuring technical communicators are prepared with relevant AI skills sparks hope for the future.
Join us for this enlightening discussion with Ryan Boetger that will surely transform your understanding of the technical communication field and its relationship with AI!
Guest Bio
Ryan Boettger is a professor and department chair of Technical Communication. He received his Ph.D. and MA in Technical Communication and Rhetoric from Texas Tech University and a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Pennsylvania State University.His NSF-funded research focuses on content analysis, data-driven learning, English for Specific Purposes, and STEM education.
He is the former editor of the Wiley/IEEE Press book series on Professional Engineering Communication and the former deputy editor-in-chief of IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication. He’s an active consultant and a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach.
Show Credits
Intro and outro music - AzAudio engineer - RJ BasilioShow notes generated by AI and curated by me.
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How do you bridge the gap between technical complexity and business value while fostering a culture of empathy in the modern workplace? Join me for an insightful conversation in this crossover episode with Felicity Brand from Open Strategy Partners, as we tackle this question and more.
We start by exploring the connection between technical communication (TechCom) and marketing communication (MarCom), and how empathy, clarity, and trust are essential in crafting impactful messages.
We also venture into the world of AI and its influence on content development. We examine the importance of writing with AI in mind, and how tools like ChatGPT and BARD can enhance our work. As we emphasize the need for mindfulness when using these tools and the datasets they rely on, this episode offers valuable insights for communicators, technologists, and leaders alike.
About Open Strategy Partners and the hosts
Open Strategy Partners is a B2B content strategy marketing agency for tech product and service companies.
Felicity Brand is a Communications Consultant at Open Strategy Partners, where she writes and edits a variety of technical content, and loves to talk about the craft.
Carl Richards is a Media Producer at Open Strategy Partners, where he produces, edits, and masters podcasts and other audio.Credits
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The show notes for this episode were created with the help of Cohost AI from Buzzsprout.
Ever wondered how networking and vulnerability can open doors to incredible writing opportunities? Join me as I chat with the incredibly talented Kathleen Majorsky, a writer who has recently forayed into user-testing of AI tools which is both inspiring and eye-opening.
By confronting her fears and setting daily goals, Kathleen has been able to learn and engage in different types of AI writing tools. Companies take note - listening to users like Kathleen can lead to invaluable insights and improvements. Listen in to uncover the fascinating connection between AI tools, user feedback, and the future of writing.
As AI technology progresses, ethical considerations become paramount. Kathleen and I discuss the importance of transparency, guardrails, and responsible AI implementation. With her expertise in journalism and critical media literacy, we explore how we can all contribute to shaping a safer and more ethical AI future. Don't miss out on this riveting conversation about the intersection of writing, networking, and AI technology!
Guest Bio
Kathleen Majorsky is a talented multi-faceted writer with experience in writing everything from marketing content to technical communication training, and creative fiction.Right now, she is leaping into A.I. tool exploration as a self-proclaimed beginner. Her A.I. adventure inspires opinions about the tool's user experience, thoughts on how the tools could help her be a better writer, and what the world looks like with ethical and humane A.I. use.
Currently, she is working with a number of freelance clients, but she remains open to a full-time writing role with a company that aligns with her values.
Kathleen's portfolio link: https://kathleenmajorsky.com/portfoliokm
Kathleen's LinkedIn portfolio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/writerkmajor/
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Shaughn Kern, my nerdy friend, graces my latest episode. As a technical writer and a code geek, Shaughn has been experimenting with ChatGPT to simplify and automate mundane parts of his day-to-day. In this heart-to-heart conversation, Shaughn shares some great examples that any technical writer can use to move on from the mundane and get creative with ChatGPT's assistance. If you are a technical writer wondering how you can leverage ChatGPT, or for that matter any AI tool, this episode is a must-listen for you.
Examples of how Shaughn uses ChatGPT to simplify the grind and get creative with his research.What kind of prompts did Shaughn give with his content to benefit from ChatGPT feedback?How to use ChatGPT to track legacy content or convert documents from one format to another?
Highlights of the conversation you don't want to miss:Guest Bio
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Shaughn Kern is a technical writer with a background in technical communication, UX/UI design, and presentations. During his career, Shaughn has mostly worked for small research institutes and software companies where he was the only technical writer. This sparked his interest in writing scripts and utilities to automate mundane, complex, or error-prone tasks. He spends several hours a week researching or building tools that make technical communication more efficient.
In addition to his technical communication experience, Shaughn has worked as an adjunct lecturer, writing center coach, and Brazilian jiujitsu instructor. He holds an M.S. in Rhetoric and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University, where he also earned a B.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication with a concentration in Computer Engineering. His non-work time is devoted to parenting, cooking, and martial arts.
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As AI tools make their mark on every business function, there is an equal proportion of excitement and fear. In the midst of this chaos, it is imperative we take a step back and consider pointers from our translation expert on what AI can and cannot offer. AI may not be the magic pill after all, at least, for the translation industry. Let's dive in.
What are some exotic languages you have translated into?Is the translation process the same for an exotic language versus a European language?What's the future of AI-assisted translation?When should one consider machine translation versus AI translation?What are the limitations of AI translation to consider?
Some questions we dug into:Guest Bio
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Markus Seebauer is originally from Munich, Germany. Markus founded Gateway Translations Inc. over a decade ago after studying computer science.
Gateway started to use AI in the translation of technical documentation in 2014 when most people didn't think about it yet. He has worked on translations into 45 languages with clients from GitHub to General Electric.
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In my latest episode with Erica, we dive into all things related to content research. If you are intrigued, then you are at the right place. We touch upon these questions for a deeper insight:
What is content research?What types of content lend well to content research?How can you use content research to gain quick insights without costly AB experiments?Can ChatGPT or similar tools influence content research? How can we leverage these AI tools?"Simple language is powerful, but not always easy." Why is that the case?Guest Bio
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Erica Jorgensen is a staff content designer at Chewy.com and the author of Strategic Content Design: Tools and Research Techniques for Better UX, published in April 2023 by Rosenfeld Media. She's a content designer, content strategist, and team leader determined to bring greater respect to the content field. To that end, Erica speaks frequently at conferences including UXDX USA, UX Lisbon, Microsoft Design Week, the Web Directions Summit, and Button: The Content Design Conference, and on podcasts like The Content Strategy Podcast with Kristina Halvorson and Content Insights podcast with Larry Swanson. In addition to working in content roles for companies of all sizes, she has taught at the University of Washington and Seattle’s School of Visual Concepts. Erica earned her B.A. from the University of Connecticut and M.A. from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. In her free time, you can find her exploring Washington State’s wineries or hiking with her husband and rescue dog, Rufus.
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Since late November 2022, ChatGPT has revolutionized the AI landscape. In this first episode of Season 4, I share the musings of my interactions with this magic tool.
What is artificial intelligence?How does it work?How do we interact with it?How ChatGPT is helping me learn a new language.What are some pitfalls to consider as AI permeates every facet of life?Links to articles I mention in the episode:
AI and the future of work Will AI replace technical writers ChatGPT briefly went offline after a bug revealed user chat historiesCredits
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Lisa Zarfl comes from the beautiful city of Graz, Austria. I met Lisa at a conference, and her presentation on machine translations inspired me to bring her on the show.
What is machine translation (MT)?What does the process for MT look like?Is MT based on artificial intelligence?Will MT replace the need for human translators? If not, why?How does an LSP (Language Service Provider) discern which type of content is best suited for MT?What is the difference between internalization and localization?What are the top 3 things that technical writers need to do before they consider translation for their content?
In this latest episode, we talk about all things translation. More specifically, machine translation (MT) and how it can help a business reach a global audience while saving costs. We talk about how technical writers can help the company save costs upfront with the translation before they are deep into the process. Tune in right away as Lisa has all the nuggets for you.
Some questions we do a deep dive into:Guest Bio
In Lisa's own words..
My name is Lisa Zarfl. I’m a project manager and in-house translator at MadTranslations based in Graz/Austria. I have several years of experience in the translation industry, specifically in managing the translation of MadCap Flare projects. My job allows me to follow my passion by combining the technological aspects of documentation with the demands of multilingual environments.
You can connect with Lisa on LinkedIn.
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I have been out of pocket for the summer visiting family in India and taking some time off. I hope you are having a safe and fun summer. I am happy to be back in the saddle...
What are the similarities between the two roles - tech writer and scrum master?What does the partnership between a tech writer and scrum master look like?How are writers embedded in the scrum process given they are a shared resource at your company? What are some ways for technical writers to find visibility on a scrum team when they are sidelined in the process?Why is the content that technical writers create important for you and the business?What are some pointers for writers to represent and advocate for themselves from a scrum master perspective?
In this latest episode, I chat with Jennifer Savage, a Scrum Master at FinThrive. Since Jennifer was a technical writer back in the day, she has some great nuggets to share on the parallels between the two roles, and how she continues to find value and advocate for us. Isn't that awesome?
Well, here are some questions we delve into:Guest Bio
In Jennifer's own words...
I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism. About the time I was entering the workforce, journalism jobs were few and far between as the print media was transitioning into the online space.
My first position out of college was as a newsletter editor/writer for a small publishing company. From there I transitioned into other writing roles over years, from business writing to medical writing to entertainment writing, and ended up in a technical writer role at my current company. I was brought into the company in its early days to create and publish all of the end-user documentation for their software offerings. As a tech writer, I worked on a number of delivery teams using Agile methodologies, and after about 7 years, I moved into a Scrum Master role.
I am currently a Senior Scrum Master for several delivery teams at FinThrive, based in Plano. While I enjoy my role as a Scrum Master, I have a soft spot for documentation and have always made sure they get a fair shake in our planning activities when completing product increments for our software updates.
I live in Frisco with my husband, my teenage son, and four cats. In my spare time, I volunteer with local animal welfare organizations and enjoy traveling with my family. graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism. About the time I was entering the workforce, journalism jobs were few and far between as the print media was transitioning into the online space.
You can connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.
Audio Engineer - RJ Basilio
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Have you ever thought of documentation being sexy? Probably not. Caity Cronkhite argues otherwise. She wholeheartedly believes documentation is sexy. She shares excellent advice for companies and writers to embrace this low-hanging fruit that can get excellent dividends if executed correctly.
Caity's journey from a writer to an entrepreneur.How did Caity scale her entrepreneurial adventure while taking other writers with her?When the market gets tough, Good Words keeps growing. How is that possible?What is the measure of good and stable documentation? How does good documentation allow companies to scale?How is documentation doing the frontline work for you?Why should writers unapologetically earn their seats at the table?
What did our conversation touch upon?Guest Bio
The Good Words Blog: https://goodwordswriting.com/blog/Our website: https://goodwordswriting.com/Our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/good-words-llc/
About the founder: Caity was born and raised on a remote farm in rural Indiana. She eventually left her prairie roots to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where she received a degree in Technical Writing and Communication. After college, Caity went west—first to the San Francisco Bay Area, then to Seattle—to start her career as a technical writer and, eventually, an entrepreneur. She is passionate about using her personal and professional experience to uplift others, including advocating for increased labor and wage protections for freelance workers and creating a company that empowers its employees with meaningful career opportunities no matter where they live.
Caity currently lives in Seattle, Washington. When she’s not running her company, she enjoys gardening, bodybuilding, road trips, mentoring, and restoring her historic Seattle home.
About the business: Caity Cronkhite is the founder and CEO of Good Words LLC. Good Words is the premier technical writing and communications consulting firm, delivering ongoing strategic, management, and implementation support for our clients’ technical writing needs. Good Words’ consultants bring their concise and accurate writing skills and ongoing strategic plans to streamline even the most complex communications for some of the most technically sophisticated companies across industries, from Fortune 500 companies to 5-person startups. For more information, visit us at www.goodwordswriting.com.
Some resources worth checking out:Audio Engineer - RJ Basilio
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