Comments on: Podcast: What Is the Technical Writer’s Role in Interface Design? Interview with Bogo Vatovec http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/12/14/bogo-vatovec-technical-writers-role-with-design-podcast/ Technical Communication Blog / Technical Writing Blog Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:33:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Benita Williams http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/12/14/bogo-vatovec-technical-writers-role-with-design-podcast/comment-page-1/#comment-136635 Benita Williams Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:43:38 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=2461#comment-136635 This is an excellent interview. Many times I was hired as a consultant and the person who hired me had no idea of what a technical writer does. It is important for both sides to clarify their expectations and set requirements early in the contract, something like the first day of on the job. Often, I play a large role in usability testing and information architecture. I've found as a writer, you must be proactive and wear whatever you need to document the product with clear, concise terminology. This is an excellent interview. Many times I was hired as a consultant and the person who hired me had no idea of what a technical writer does. It is important for both sides to clarify their expectations and set requirements early in the contract, something like the first day of on the job.

Often, I play a large role in usability testing and information architecture. I’ve found as a writer, you must be proactive and wear whatever you need to document the product with clear, concise terminology.

]]> By: Jason http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/12/14/bogo-vatovec-technical-writers-role-with-design-podcast/comment-page-1/#comment-136630 Jason Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:28:32 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=2461#comment-136630 Great interview. This reminds me a lot of a previous job. I really had to fight an uphill battle against the stigma of what a technical writer was at the company. Most folks saw them as little more than a transcriptionist. I think a few of us were able to break that stigma (for the most part) by doing a lot of what Bogo referred to. It certainly wasn't easy, though, and I imagine that there are many organizations where your only option is to move to a different department or leave the company if you want some sort of professional growth. I feel very lucky that I was the first technical writer at my current job, so there was no real assumption about a writer's role. Though I still have the "technical writer" title, I've had the freedom to create all sorts of information output, assist with usability and product design, and be involved in a lot of other areas at the company. Great interview. This reminds me a lot of a previous job. I really had to fight an uphill battle against the stigma of what a technical writer was at the company. Most folks saw them as little more than a transcriptionist. I think a few of us were able to break that stigma (for the most part) by doing a lot of what Bogo referred to. It certainly wasn’t easy, though, and I imagine that there are many organizations where your only option is to move to a different department or leave the company if you want some sort of professional growth.

I feel very lucky that I was the first technical writer at my current job, so there was no real assumption about a writer’s role. Though I still have the “technical writer” title, I’ve had the freedom to create all sorts of information output, assist with usability and product design, and be involved in a lot of other areas at the company.

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