2   Development Process

Most manual writers develop manuals using the same general process. This process is often termed the document development methodology and has been in standard use across North America for several decades. The process set out in this chapter follows this time-tested methodology.

In this chapter, we’ll start by looking at the benefits to your organization of simply going through this process. Then we’ll look at the following steps in the development process:

• planning
  • analyzing information needs
  • specifying the manual
  • planning the project
  • getting the document plan approved
• researching and writing
• editing and reviewing
• producing and distributing
• wrapping up the project