Writing tip:

Some people seem to believe that good writing requires using more words. Quite the contrary. Conciseness and brevity are often the hallmarks of effective writers. Eliminate those "fluff" words and instead choose specific, strong, and action-oriented words.

Editorial Processes

As the editorial needs of an organization grow, internal standards and procedures must be developed to ensure information quality and consistency. Once the administrative policies are in place, a variety of technical solutions may be employed to maintain proper work flow and control. Such solutions may include electronic routing systems, collaborative editing applications, and version control software.

Routing Procedures

Both technical documentation and marketing communication projects have multiple stakeholders throughout the company. These may include the product development, engineering, product management, marketing, and legal departments. Effective routing procedures ensure that each business unit has the opportunity to provide input or make changes. Routing may be paper-based or paperless.

Document Control Systems

Companies seeking ISO 9001 quality certification must establish document control and data archiving systems. These systems provide a mechanism for change as well as a historical record of those changes. These systems are most often used to ensure that technical documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and in compliance with all necessary regulatory requirements.

Style Guide Development

When documents are generated by multiple authors and editors, inconsistent usage and style is often the result. A corporate style guide helps to promote and reinforce a consistent image. The guide not only addresses common writing issues such as spelling, punctuation, and units of measure, it may also specify trademark usage, logo placement, color standards, and typeface selection.