54th STC's Annual Conference
May 13-16, 2007 | Minneapolis, MN
54th Annual Conference Call for Proposals
Descriptions of the Individual Tracks The heart of our conference program comes from proposals submitted by professionals like you. Please review our newly designed tracks to make sure that the content you propose best matches the interests and needs of our participants, and to help you focus your proposal.
Designing and Assessing User Experiences Developing and Delivering Content Producing and Publishing Information Managing People, Projects, and Business Developing Your Skills and Promoting Your Profession Applying Research and Theory to Practice Pre-conference Workshops
DESIGNING AND ASSESSING USER EXPERIENCES Technical communicators are adding value by taking a lead role in designing and assessing the experience of users with the products and services we document, often starting with the "out of the box" experience, and continuing through all phases of product use. This track explores the challenges associated with designing and assessing these user experiences, and welcomes proposals addressing the following topics:
User-centered design techniques for effectively presenting information in varied formats and wide-ranging screen sizes, including mobile and online devices, and print Information architecture, navigation, and search for complex information products Conducting usability assessments Using technology to assess usability, such as eye-tracking software and tools for tracking and analyzing usability studies Visual techniques for presenting information, including transforming raw data such as large sets of numbers into information a person can digest quickly and use effectively Accessibility for various audiences, including the young, the elderly, those with low literacy skills, and those with other special needs Findings about readability and perception from usability studies The role of usability and user-centered design within the framework of a technical communicator's work
Teaching usability and user-centered design in corporate and academic environments
Questions about submitting a proposal to this track? Contact Track Manager: George Slaughter, The Integrity Group, [e-mail], +1.281.955.0707, extension 135. Back to top DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING CONTENT Words and images count. Not that we have to be obsessive about them, but before we can manage, reuse, or source a piece of communication, the words have to be right, as well as the related images. Writing, editing, and visual communication are the technical communicator's core competencies. But how do we keep these skills sharp and fresh when faced with tight deadlines, limitations of publishing systems, interference from subject matter experts, and the comfort of known strategies? This track explores these challenges. To do so, we welcome proposals on topics such as:
Best practices for technical writing and editing, and visual communication: o The basics o Creating effective online user assistance o Creating indexes and other navigation aids o Communicating in a variety of media, including online and mobile screens and the traditional (and still very-much-alive) print o Conducting up-front assessments of the audience and content to ensure the best quality content o Alternatives to the user's guide and reference manual for presenting technical content o Creative means for exposing technical content (such as the application of creative nonfiction techniques) Specialized content, including: o Documentation to comply with the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act o Scientific writing o Content for the medical, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries o Marketing and promotional content and medical, procedural, promotional and other specialized documentation o Compliance and risk communication Unique audiences, including: o Generationally different users, including young people and seniors o Audiences that read and speak English as a second or third language o Audiences from diverse cultures o Audiences with unique needs, such as physical challenges Quality of technical documentation
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Balancing the time required for good writing and editing against the deadline for getting the product to market Measuring the impact of good writing and editing on your company's bottom line Contributing to standards related to technical writing and editing
Questions about submitting a proposal to this track? Contact Track Manager: Nicole Trick, SAS International, [e-mail], +49.6221.416.234. Back to top PRODUCING AND PUBLISHING INFORMATION Technical communicators depend on tools and technologies for producing and publishing information. We must keep up-to-date with trends and developments that support producing and publishing information, and must be able to take advantage of new tools, technologies, and methods for delivering content to our users. Sessions in this track will demonstrate how to effectively produce and publish information, how to evaluate the appropriateness of new tools and technologies, and how to apply tools and technologies to meet evolving user and business requirements. Suggested proposal topics include:
Assessing and improving documentation usability and accessibility Single-source publishing for multiple audiences or multiple output formats Information architectures and content management systems authoring Help tools and technologies, including context-sensitive, intelligent, or adaptive help systems Creating and delivering multimedia content to enhance the user experience e-Learning tools and technologies, including Web-based training, learning management systems, and online demonstrations Process-improvement tools, including online review and collaboration, electronic distribution and archiving, and content management Tools for automating any aspect of the authoring and publishing process Creative or innovative applications for new technologies Techniques or methodologies for evaluating the appropriateness and value of particular tools and technologies Technologies that may change or influence our profession in the future
Questions about submitting a proposal to this track? Contact Track Manager: Alan Houser, Group Wellesley, Inc., [e-mail], +1.412.363.3481. Back to top MANAGING PEOPLE, PROJECTS, AND BUSINESS
Explore how managers can promote the business of technical communication, generate effective results for the organizations we serve, challenge our staffs to unleash their human potential, and grow ourselves. Specifically, we seek proposals on the following:
Developing effective business cases for technical communication projects Linking technical communication and usability to the strategic initiatives and missions of the organizations we serve Demonstrating the effectiveness and value of technical communication products and services Unique supervision challenges and effective supervision techniques for groups of technical communicators Providing effective leadership on technical communication Nurturing talent through mentorship, coaching, and similar activities Navigating through organizational politics
Questions about submitting a proposal to this track? Contact Track Manger: Lisa Ford, [e-mail], +1.480.820.5724. Back to top DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS AND PROMOTING YOUR PROFESSION The times of the introverted, brittle technical writer are over. Success in technical communication increasingly requires keen soft skills and a knack for self-promotion in addition to a broad array of communication, technology, and publishing skills. This track will help you find methods to hone your technical and soft skills, teach you how to effectively promote yourself and your department's services, and prepare you to become an evangelist for the profession to the rest of the world. Specifically, we seek proposals on the following:
Time Management Becoming a creative employee Practicing soft skills (within your team and as an individual) Long-range career planning for Technical Communicators Tapping into your organization's Business Intelligence Initiative Soliciting new and exciting projects from within your organization Marketing your department to other departments Maketing your department to management Marketing your profession to the world
Questions about submitting a proposal to this track? Contact Track Manager: Chris McRae, Brickstream Corporation, [e-mail], +1.404.249.8156. Back to top APPLYING THEORY AND RESEARCH TO PRACTICE
Theory and research form the basis for technical communication; theory guides our practice and research supports...