May 15 2024 49 mins
Kieran Morgan and I connected to discuss how to manage projects and priorities as technical communicators, particularly in agile environments. With Kieran's vast experience in operations and governance, he shares strategies that can empower you as a writer to take charge of your workload without the luxury of dedicated project management support.
From the importance of planning to the art of negotiation with stakeholders, our conversation dives into project management skills vital for technical writers. As we unravel the complexities of defining scope, scheduling, and budgeting, Kieran offers invaluable advice for those new to the field. Discover how embracing formal training in basic project management skills can be a game-changer, extending beyond mere schedules and trackers to encompass a holistic view of project execution, including risk and stakeholder management.
Lastly, we bridge the gap between cognitive psychology and technical writing, shedding light on how a deeper understanding of the 'why' can transform documentation into a more effective learning tool. We explore the power of visuals, the importance of content chunking, and the necessity of tailoring documentation to the needs of a majority user base to avoid scope creep.
Key Takeaways:
- Planning: Essential for successful project execution.
- Scope Definition: Crucial for project success.
- Simple Tools: Excel for tracking.
- Negotiation: Key skill with stakeholders.
- Cognitive Psychology: Enhances documentation effectiveness.
Guest Bio
Kieran Morgan is an author and entrepreneur. As the founder of Boffin Education, he is passionate about applying his diverse skill set in leadership, operations, and documentation to the challenge of building a knowledge business.
His 2015 book, Technical Writing Process, is a top-seller on Amazon with over 9,000 copies sold (books + templates). A new edition of the Technical Writing Process (2024, 2nd ed.) brings the content with up-to-date information for modern technologies and recent developments in industry best practices. Head over to the home of the Technical Writing Process (2024, 2nd ed.) on Boffin Education.
In addition to his entrepreneurial and authorship experience, he's also an experienced program and operations manager, with strong expertise in planning and pitching new programs, facilitating governance forums, and leading complex programs.
Resources
Boffin Education is offering a 10% discount on their project management courses for technical writers. Use this code 44EF3D to avail of the discount.
Show Credits
- Intro and outro music - Az
- Audio engineer - RJ Basilio