No user manual? Surely you jest!
It may seem comical, but it's a surprisingly common situation. I've encountered many companies that don't provide any user manuals with their products. If they do, their manuals are often horribly incoherent, or else years out of date. It shouldn't happen, but it happens all the time.
Now, this problem is less common when buying off-the-shelf software or consumer electronics. That's because these products typically come from large corporations that pay attention to such details. Among smaller engineering firms though, this is a frequent occurrence. In fact, I'd estimate that about half of the small engineering companies that I've encountered are guilty of this offense.
I remember how one engineer told me why his company didn't provide any user manuals with their products. In hushed tones, he said, "It's because we don't make any money by writing manuals. It's not a money-making venture, so our management doesn't want to waste time on this." An annoyed expression crept into his face, then he leaned closer and said, "We have lost so many customers because we don't have decent documentation. Talk about being penny-wise, pound-foolish!"
It's not just the customers who suffer when manuals are inadequate or non-existent. What about the employees themselves? What happens when a new engineer comes on board, and has to learn quickly? Or what happens when existing engineers need to familiarize themselves more with unfamiliar aspects of their product lines? The user documentation, if properly written, can provide a gentle and efficient way of bringing the up to speed. Without it, they will be forced to rely more heavily on other engineers to educate them, thus wasting the time of everyone concerned. Weeks, if not months, of valuable manpower can be squandered in this fashion.
At times, a company will pay lip service to user documentation by slapping together some hastily written document that is difficult for a new user to digest. "Who cares about wording anyway?" I've heard many engineers say. "We're not writing poetry or screenplays here. What matters is that the manual must be technically accurate."
This is an appallingly short-sighted view. Technical accuracy is indeed important, but so are presentation and style. Few engineers would listen to a job applicant who shows up in a bathrobe and slippers, or a litigation attorney who speaks like a valley girl-and yet somehow, these same engineers expect their customers to slog through pages of meandering, poorly phrased text. Even matters as fundamental as spelling, grammar and proofreading are often treated as mere annoyances-piddling details that are worth nothing more than a cursory glance.
(To my relief, I have not encountered any such attitudes at my place of employment. I hasten to say this, lest anyone think that I'm complaining about the people that I work with! No, I've found that we all appreciate the value of excellence, for which I am always thankful. But I digress.)
Mind you, I understand that there are times when a company might not choose to invest an all-out effort in user manual development. This can happen during the early startup stages, for example, when manpower is in short supply and the products are still undergoing refinement. Unfortunately, many small companies never grow past that stage. Even after many years, they continue to thinks of user documentation as a trifling detail which deserves only a modicum of effort. By perpetuating that mindset, they ultimately shortchange both the customers and themselves.
Like it or not, a company's user documentation (or lack thereof) is a reflection on the company itself. You can be sure that your customers will notice if the user manuals are poor or non-existent. In today's busy world, where people need to absorb information as efficiently as possible, the lack of quality documentation can be nothing short of disastrous.
About The Author
V. Berba Velasco has been plying his trade for nearly a decade. During that time, he has repeatedly discovered the importance of good technical writing, and the pitfalls that can occur from ignoring its value.
Dr. Velasco currently works as a senior electrical and software engineer for Cellular Technology Ltd (http://www.immunospot.com, http://www.immunospot.com, http://www.immunospot.com). Dr. Velasco takes great pride in the company's commitment to user-friendliness and product excellence.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide.... Read More
Today it begins.I have always known I was a freelancer.... Read More
Last week I was having a quick browse on eBay... Read More
As you set out to create your first niche non-fiction... Read More
IntroductionSince our early days of elementary education we have been... Read More
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block".... Read More
In my ten years as an advertiser, I've encountered plenty... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
All your publishing options are as follows:--Conventional publishing--Vanity or subsidy... Read More
First drafts are for getting down the ideas. Anna Jacobs... Read More
Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing.... Read More
All writers should use a plan whether written or reflected.... Read More
Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More
You may not remember this, but in the early days... Read More
Have you ever written a letter to a friend? Ever... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
1. Use Logic: Check for External PressuresAre you under physical... Read More
A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More
Hands up all those who'd like to have a successful... Read More
Set your journal or diary where you will see it... Read More
The creativity of Jaisini is not designed to be preaching... Read More
This is a tough question for every freelance writer. For... Read More
~~~Old age, to the unlearned, is winter; to the learned,... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..11 Secrets from an Experienced InterviewerOne of the unwritten rules... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More
Here are 3 journaling or diary ideas that can contribute... Read More
Based on the feedback that I have been getting from... Read More
Don't they drive you nuts?You can visit all the rules... Read More
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to... Read More
You are the only one who knows what being a... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
One obvious question that can get overlooked in the process... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
ADAPTATION 101Brimming with confidence, you've just signed the check purchasing... Read More
One of the biggest problems that inexperienced writers have is... Read More
You have a great idea for a poem, a story,... Read More
It turns out that "tips and templates on how to... Read More
Editorial guidelines, also known as writer's guidelines, are the rules... Read More
Finding the time to write a novel is one of... Read More
Golden Rules For New Writers - Things you need to... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
Working on my first humorous novel, I started with a... Read More
The writing community is a strong one, with many new... Read More
My article this issue is an excerpt from a book... Read More
If you are like most writers, you're constantly searching for... Read More
While novels do not usually attempt to convey concepts about... Read More
Set your journal or diary where you will see it... Read More
Writing |