Comments on: Most Documentation Managers Don’t Use Metrics As Performance Measure http://thecontentwrangler.com/2007/05/15/most_documentation_managers_dont_use_metrics_as_performance_measure/ Content is a business asset worthy of being managed Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:31:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Amanda_Cross http://thecontentwrangler.com/2007/05/15/most_documentation_managers_dont_use_metrics_as_performance_measure/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Amanda_Cross Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:57:07 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ee/?p=498#comment-127 <p>A few years ago at a session at the STC conference, a person in the audience talked about how their department used metrics for evaluation--horribly! As I recall, the writers were penalized with the number of grammatical errors the editors marked, without regard to the amount of work produced, the experience level of the writer, or the difficulty of the subject matter. It did nothing but cause animosity between writers and editors. </p> <p> Not to say that performance evaluation wouldn’t benefit from metrics, but it certainly can be done the wrong way. The issue shouldn’t be whether to use metrics, but which ones to use. </p> A few years ago at a session at the STC conference, a person in the audience talked about how their department used metrics for evaluation–horribly! As I recall, the writers were penalized with the number of grammatical errors the editors marked, without regard to the amount of work produced, the experience level of the writer, or the difficulty of the subject matter. It did nothing but cause animosity between writers and editors.

Not to say that performance evaluation wouldn’t benefit from metrics, but it certainly can be done the wrong way. The issue shouldn’t be whether to use metrics, but which ones to use.

]]> By: ScottAbel http://thecontentwrangler.com/2007/05/15/most_documentation_managers_dont_use_metrics_as_performance_measure/comment-page-1/#comment-126 ScottAbel Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:53:00 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ee/?p=498#comment-126 <p>Alisha: </p> <p> I’m working on an article and an interview on this subject which should help you learn a little more about the topic. It’s still a relatively new area for most technical documentation and training managers—and tool vendors are also just starting to hear folks like me gripe about the need for measurement tools. So, keep an eye out for additional articles on the subject, coming soon. </p> <p> Scott Abel <br /> TheContentWrangler </p> Alisha:

I’m working on an article and an interview on this subject which should help you learn a little more about the topic. It’s still a relatively new area for most technical documentation and training managers—and tool vendors are also just starting to hear folks like me gripe about the need for measurement tools. So, keep an eye out for additional articles on the subject, coming soon.

Scott Abel

TheContentWrangler

]]> By: Alisha Logsdon http://thecontentwrangler.com/2007/05/15/most_documentation_managers_dont_use_metrics_as_performance_measure/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Alisha Logsdon Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:55:26 +0000 http://localhost:8888/ee/?p=498#comment-125 <p>I work on a team that is not measured by metrics. We use metrics to estimate the department costs for projects. I would like to know how a metric could be used, though, to judge the quality of each writers work. As a technical writer who comes from an English background, I have no experience with any metrics other than those mentioned above, and your message in this article is unclear. I’d like more information on how a manager should use metrics, and what type of metrics. Thanks. </p> I work on a team that is not measured by metrics. We use metrics to estimate the department costs for projects. I would like to know how a metric could be used, though, to judge the quality of each writers work. As a technical writer who comes from an English background, I have no experience with any metrics other than those mentioned above, and your message in this article is unclear. I’d like more information on how a manager should use metrics, and what type of metrics. Thanks.

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