use pair writing to work together with subject matter experts

Use pair writing to work together with subject matter experts

agile content conf19 January 2015

Content microtest

Content microtest• Test before publishing with one user• The user gets two questions, takes 10-15 minutes

The technique was developed by Laura Arlov from The Norwegian Tax Authority to help writers create content that users understand.

Step #1:Read the title and

description. Think of 3-4 questions you

expect will be answered on this

page.

DementiaGet advice from professionals.

The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.

Some of the early signs of dementia are:

What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:

reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.

�

memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.

�

language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.

�

sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.

�

situations you have experienced that has made you worried�

if you've talked to the person you are worried�

if you want to be with the doctor�

Step #2: Highlight where

your questions are answered. Does the content meet

the need?

DementiaGet advice from professionals.

The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.

Some of the early signs of dementia are:

What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:

reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.

�

memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.

�

language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.

�

sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.

�

situations you have experienced that has made you worried�

if you've talked to the person you are worried�

if you want to be with the doctor�

Step #2: Highlight where

your questions are answered. Does the content meet

the need?

DementiaGet advice from professionals.

The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.

Some of the early signs of dementia are:

What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:

reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.

�

memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.

�

language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.

�

sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.

�

situations you have experienced that has made you worried�

if you've talked to the person you are worried�

if you want to be with the doctor�

Step #2: Highlight where

your questions are answered. Does the content meet

the need?

Feedback on needs, not

grammar

Cheap, fast

Can be done over the phone:

Send title/description and the rest of the

copy in separate emails

2008-2010:Web editor for The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs

6000 employees

200 employees with access to CMS

3 websites

... me

Jakob Nielsen’s «F pattern»

So I printed the website...

Pair writing

Why pair writing?• The team thinks before publishing• It forces authors to stay focused• It helps colleagues form a mutual understanding of their content• It results in a more uniform tone• It allows authors to share best practices in regards to writing for the web

Web writing

workshop(ca 1948)

Pair writing!

Inspired by pair

programming

http://bit.ly/acc-prog (PDF)

Case study:Norwegian Cancer Society

Warning!

Cancer Diseases ▶ Skin

cancer ▶ Prevent Skin Cancer

Cancer Diseases ▶ Skin

cancer ▶ Prevent Skin Cancer

Prevention ▶ Sun and solarium ▶ Prevent Skin

Cancer

2012 2014

80%fewer pages

– More people contact the cancer line now than before, but now they’re more informed when they contact usAnine Wiig DagestadWeb editor and cancer nurse

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Cancer line conversations+40%

Launch

Pair writing1. Bring people together and pair them up2. Decide on a need3. Group feedback4. Write!5. Present a draft6. Continue writing

Step #1: Bring people together and pair them up

Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.

• Which objective will this page help us achieve?

• What are the user needs?

Step #2: Decide on

a need

Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.

• Which objective will this page help us achieve?

• What are the user needs?

Step #2: Decide on

a needObjective: Increased knowledge about symptoms and

early diagnosis of dementia

Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.

• Which objective will this page help us achieve?

• What are the user needs?

Step #2: Decide on

a needObjective: Increased knowledge about symptoms and

early diagnosis of dementia

User needs: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Step #3: Group

feedback

Step #4: Write!

Step #4: Write!

– What do you mean by that?

Step #4: Write!

– Can you read that out loud?

– What do you mean by that?

Initial drafts focus on most important

need

Step #5: Present a

draft

Step #6: Switch roles

and continue writing

No cruft, justneeds

Example from City of Oslo

Pair writing1. Bring people together and pair them up2. Decide on a need3. Group feedback4. Write!5. Present a draft6. Continue writing

Pair writing helps you write to

meet the need

Pair writing is outside some

people’s comfort zone, but the results are

worth it

It teaches you to focus on the need first,

then the words

When you practise pair

writing, you can't remember who wrote each sentence. You

have shared ownership.

Pair writing helps you find

common ground

Thank you!@audunruaudun@netliferesearch.com

Slides and resources: http://bit.ly/acc-pw