Collaboration and contribution.
WHY MULTIPLE WRITERS CREATE PROBLEMS
Inconsistent terminology, structure and depth.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Shared conventions.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
A style guide and templates A glossary of agreed terms
WHY A GLOSSARY
Terminology inconsistency is the most visible sign of multiple writers.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SUBJECT EXPERTS
That they provide accuracy and someone else provides clarity.
WHY
Experts write for other experts, and they cannot see it.
WHAT TO ASK THEM FOR
The technical substance, not finished prose.
WHAT TO DO WITH IT
Rewrite it for the reader.
WHY
It is faster than requesting revisions.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT REVIEW
Who reviews for accuracy Who reviews for usability Who decides
WHY A DECIDER
Review comments conflict and unresolved conflict stalls publication.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT VERSION CONTROL
One authoritative source.
WHY
Documents edited in parallel diverge and merging them loses changes.
WHAT TO AVOID
Circulating documents as attachments for comment Multiple copies being edited
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That contributions are welcomed and acted upon.
WHY
Contributors who see their input ignored stop contributing.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
Feedback on what was used and what was not.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT CORRECTIONS
That anyone may report or make them.
WHAT TO MAINTAIN
A record of who owns what.
