1. 1 The Future of Technical Writing in India - Nilanjana Biswas Sun Microsystems, Bangalore

2. 2 Explosive growth in business volumes as a result of outsourcing 75 writers based in India are registered with the STC Estimated 2500 to 3000 strong workforce Technical Writing in India…

3. 3 Tech Writing in the Time of Outsourcing… Tends to resemble more assembly line than either craft or corporation Low control over pace Routine tasks are handled well but the big picture is missing High turnover What is needed is less assembly line, more enterprise

4. 4 Role ambiguity Ambiguous team structures Limited growth The growth – skill conundrum Developer to writer ratios Areas of Concern

5. 5 Challenges Before the Tech Writing Community Conduct local research on the roles we perform Share information on how we can add value Build knowledge networks

6. 6 Significant Focus Areas Virtual teaming and collaboration Language skills Domain knowledge and core competencies Writing for global markets Dealing with flexi-time

7. 7 Single sourcing  Structured information  Knowledge management  Replacing static help systems with dynamic help  Information reuse Improving ROI  Docs as a key differentiator  A life cycle approach to docs Future Trends

8. 8 More interactivity between apps, the user interface and the help system Smarter indexing Smarter and highly contextual information retrieval techniques Institutionalizing technical writing Future Trends (cont’d)

9. 9 Conclusion Not assembly line but partnership More skills and domain expertise More knowledge networks Efficient knowledge management Value addition and increased ROI Grooming a professional workforce

10. 10 References JoAnn T. Hackos (2000): Trends for 2000: Moving Beyond the Cottage; Intercom; Jan 2000 http://www.cherryleaf.com/news_writers.htm JD Applen (2002 ): Technical Communication, Knowledge Management, and XML; Volume 49, Number 3, August 2002; Technical Communication JM Carroll (1990): The Nurnburg Funnel: Designing Minimalist Instruction for Practical Computer Skill; Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. J Johnson-Eilola (1995): Relocating the Value of Work: Technical Communication in a Post-industrial Age. Volume 5, Technical Communication Quarterly J (G) Redish (2003): Volume 50, Number 4, November 2003; Technical Communication