Laddawn.com : Documentation for Internal Users

Most important - why are we doing this? what's the vision? what's in it for me?

BRAIN DUMP:

Online, not paper (unless it makes sense - ie, classroom training, quick reference card, etc.) - leverage new IT help desk tools (to be acquired soon)

Content- think about audience, purpose, organization

At least two audiences 

1) Existing staff, schooled in the "old ways"

2) New staff - blank slate

At least two purposes

1) training/orientation

    • Ideally the website should be intuitive enough not to require extensive documentation
    • Nevertheless, CE (and other departments), will need some reference material -
      • Glossary of terms
      • Translate old concepts to new concepts (with pictures, step by step workflows - old screens next to new screens?)  There will not be a 1:1 correlation between old and new.

2) ongoing reference, job aids

Not just how to use the web screens, but any residual reference material CE still requires (e.g. distributors' routing guides) - goal: get rid of paper binders; have the reference material updated in real time, easily accessed and searched.

Promote consistent handling of common situations.

Best practices - techniques for using the web, or not tool-related, ie, "when can I override a price?"; "how should I steer the conversation when this topic comes up?"

Organization - outline sections, fit it to software

Also: Think about ongoing ease of maintenance. Who can make updates? How easy will it be? Keep it simple.