Tech Biz Writing

Information gathering
Data management: The problems associated with technical information revolve around:

* Accumulation
* Retention
* Accessibility

Printed information: May come in the form of:

* Previous manuals
* Sales documents
* Specifications
* Test schedules
* Parts catalogues
* Diagrams and drawings.

Verbal information: The most difficult to deal with in that it requires use of memory, notetaking, and/or tape recordings.
Visual information: All authors should have sight of the equipment they are writing about. This information is best stored in sketch or photographic form.

The synopsis
Defines the topic breakdown chapter by chapter and section by section. It includes the amount of detail to be covered, and the number and type of illustrations to be used. It should comprise:

* Chapter number
* Provisional title of chapter
* Subject of chapter
* Topic breakdown
* Illustrations
* Page estimate
* Other remarks.

Costing
Writing terms: Writing tasks are usually undertaken on the adjacent terms:

* Fixed price quotation
* Cost plus
* Limit of liability.

Office overheads: Approximately 125% of basic labour.
Cost of handbook: Labour + materials + office overheads.
Quotation charge to client: Cost + profit + VAT.

Next: 55. Reinforcements - Development.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 18th, 2007 at 2:37 pm and is filed under Technical Writing, Publishing, TechBiz Writing, Synopsis, Costing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.