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Content Management Special Interest Group

Technical Communicator may wonder, “What’s content management have to do with me writing a technical document?” A Technical Communicator’s skill set exists far beyond the ability to just write. Technology is constantly changing and the way we can manage the information that we write must change too. To some writing veterans, cutting and pasting has a physical meaning. In the early 80's, producing a technical document on a Word Processor took time. Page numbers were not automated and you literally cut (using an Exacto knife) content from one document and pasted or taped it into another. Today’s fast paced world demands a quick reuse of content in many different applications. While the Marketing team may need the latest description of a re-invented widget, the Documentation team needs the same widget description for the User Guide. Having the ability to share content saves time, effort, and embarrassment and is cost effective.

Content management envelopes the idea of Learning Management as well. The training department needs to be consistent when they train others to use the widget. The terminology and the way they describe the widget’s features should be as clear as the marketing material that sold it in the first place. And the Web Team needs the same type of content yesterday, sharing the news with the world.

Support teams rely on the same descriptions and the same terminology. We want to make sure Knowledge base articles and support documentation is consistent with all the other communication we provide to our widget customers. Write it, update it, and keep it in one place but have the ability to share it. When a term changes, it changes in all applications.

This is the concept of content management. Content management systems provide the methodology to do all this and more.

Content Management Notes

This page is a clearinghouse for information on the field of Content Management. Whether it's design, tools and technologies or just how to get started, this group discusses the many issues involved in managing your technical information. Its not just for managers, but anyone who wants to simplify the process of creating, managing and storing data in a collaborative environment.

Please send SVC President Ann Grove an email if you are interested in sharing what you know or listening to what others have to say about this topic.

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