1. Creating Communications with a Team Guidelines taken from Paul Anderson’s Technical Writing: A Reader-Centered Approach

2. Guidelines Create a consensus concerning the objectives Involve the whole team in planning Make a project schedule Share leadership responsibilities Make meetings efficient Encourage debate Be sensitive to cultural and gender differences Use computer support for collaboration

3. Create a Consensus Explore diverse views Keep talking Discuss strategies Remain open

4. Involve the Whole Team Discuss plans in detail Write an outline Create a storyboard Use a style guide

5. Make a Project Schedule Time to define the document’s objectives Frequent checkpoints Time to edit the drafts for consistency and coherence

6. Share Leadership Responsibilities Task roles Group maintenance roles

7. Make Meetings Efficient Prepare agendas Bring discussions to a close Sum up Set goals for the next meeting

8. Encourage Debate and Diversity of Ideas Invite everyone to speak Listen with interest and respect Be considerate when discussing drafts Treat drafts as team property, not individual property

9. Be Sensitive to Cultural and Gender Differences Style may be influenced by gender and cultural background Be responsive to individual styles

10. Use Computer Support for Collaboration Email for sharing ideas and drafts without meeting Online discussions in WebBoard chat Word-processing that shows each person’s drafts and revisions in different colors