One of the most contentious and polarized issues I have come across regarding developing procedures is that of minimalist versus comprehensive content in standard operating procedures. Sit down with a group of plant operators and maintenance personnel and ask them what they would like to see in an SOP and then watch what happens. One [...]
Archive for May 8th, 2009
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The Greased Rubber Ball
May 8th, 2009 
Ron Johnson 
Back when I was instructing electronics and instrumentation apprentices and technologists I liked to start each new batch of students with my “Greased Rubber Ball” theory of learning. I told them that their upcoming learning experience would be like trying to stay on top of a giant greased rubber ball. I suggested that if they [...]
Tags: Tech Writing for Process Industries
May 8th, 2009 Ron Johnson This being the first post on a new website/blog, I’m putting out an open invitation for responses from other tech writers–especially those who work in process industries. Writing is a lonely business at the best of times, but so far I haven’t met many writers who serve process industries. Anyone out there who would care [...]
Author-it for re-use and single sourcing
May 8th, 2009 Ron Johnson For almost two years we have been using Author-it for creating and publishing documents for a local water and wastewater utility. To say that learning AIT has been a challenge would be an understatement but we don’t regret making the move to this powerful program. Author-it is a professional document creation application that allows content [...]