technical communications uk conference 2013
DESCRIPTION
A look at how just delivering user assistance is only half the battle. This presentation looks how Technical Communicators should look at improving both the end user experience and general product usability by improving how the user assistance is delivered.TRANSCRIPT
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Colum McAndrewRoboColum(n) Consulting
Content delivered? Check!OK. How do we use it?
Technical Communication UK ConferenceBristol 25th September 2013
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Slide 2 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
How do others do it ?
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Slide 3 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
When does User Assistance end ?
Test build ?
Deliverable sign off ?
Release build ?
Product release ?
The answer is ………
None of the above !
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Slide 4 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Adding value to User Assistance?
Training on how to use user assistance.
Make it visible.
Add interactivity.
Evangelise content.
Watch and listen.
Get feedback.
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Slide 5 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Training: Internal users
Train them so they can train others.
Look for training opportunities.
Get people on your side.
Evangelise your content.
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Slide 6 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Training: External users
1. Does your company train users ?
2. What do you train users on ?
3. What does your “product” include?
4. What is installed with your product ?
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Slide 7 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Training materials
Include chapter on using the Help.
Set exercises to get users using it.
Ask them what they think.
Feedback to the Technical Writers.
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Slide 8 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Making things visible
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Slide 9 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Making things visible
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Slide 10 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Painting the Forth Bridge TechComm Style
Is it just about providing the content ?
It is also how users interact with it.
Is there quick and easy access to it ?
If you finish, it is time to retire !
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Slide 11 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Context Sensitive Help
What is the first thing you see in this dialog ?
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Slide 12 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Context Sensitive Help
What is the first last thing you see in this dialog ?
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Slide 13 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Help is the last thing they see.
“No Undo” where exactly?
Dialog has 13 different UI elements. What does “Help” provide?
No “OK” button.
Context Sensitive Help
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Slide 14 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Context Sensitive Help
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Slide 15 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Embedded help………yuk!
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Slide 16 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Field descriptions at the bottom.
“Common questions” but not here!
Open “Details” in new window
Embedded help………yuk!
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Slide 17 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Embedded help…close but no cigar!
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Slide 18 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Embedded help could be next to the action.
Access to further information.
Not sure what this adds.
Embedded help…close but no cigar!
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Slide 19 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Embedded help…......Yay!
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Slide 20 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Evangelising your content
If no one is buying your product, what do you do?
Find out why
Market it
◦ Social media◦ Press release◦ Release notes
Change it
◦ Context sensitive / embedded help◦ UI (e.g. error messages)◦ Visual / written style
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Slide 21 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Learning styles: Snagit
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Slide 22 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Learning styles: Snagit
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Slide 23 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Watch and listen
Don’t be afraid to engage with others.
Look for quick gains.
Seek approval to contact customers.
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Slide 24 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Getting feedback
Google analytics
RoboHelp Server / Madcap Pulse
Customer contact
Inter-departmental communication
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Slide 25 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
Watch and listen…. BBC Blackadder style!“C is for contrafibularity”
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Slide 26 © RoboColum(n) Consulting 2013
RoboColum(n) Consulting
@robocolumn
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/notcolin
www.cmcandrew.com
www.robocolumn.com