Are you among the many who, during lockdown, have wondered what the future may bring? Do you clearly envision what is personally meaningful and how you will change your life once the pandemic ends? 

Depending on your point of view, lives will change for the better or poorer.

I’ve thought a lot about what should change, and here are my thoughts on possible future events.

The government has learned a huge lesson: when a crisis looms, act immediately. 

Why does the government lack a pandemic strategy?? The government needs an effective strategy tried and tested at least once a year. Perfect preparation prevents poor results.

The UK needs to reduce its dependence on international supply chains and be ready and capable of producing what we need when we need it. Self-sufficiency.

The contamination risk of stockpiling PPE in enormous warehouses renders the material unusable. The government requires a list of businesses that can quickly switch to producing PPE supplies.. 

When the government negotiates BREXIT, there is much to consider, such as our diminished skills base. We need a state-funded education program to train various professionals.. We don’t need a constant stream of graduates with non-degrees.

Britain allows foreign competitors to purchase UK companies and shift operations overseas, resulting in billions of lost revenue. Smaller UK manufacturers closed, as there was a cheaper version worldwide. 

We need to rebuild our industrial base to reduce our reliance on foreign markets.. If not, what happens if we need immediate access to vital goods and discover we can’t purchase any because of global demand?

People and businesses will demand cash to save their businesses, although many are on the verge of collapse. The government must focus on what will thrive and benefit the UK economy. 

 Not only will the NHS receive more cash but also the Police and education. I suggest the NHS needs reform because, without it, the entire organisation becomes a financial vacuum. 

Pollution levels have dropped. Step outside and look at the blue sky. How fresh is the air? Also, I live below the flight paths to Heathrow and Luton, and there are no visible vapour trails in the sky. 

 Now we have a feel for a cleaner world. What are we going to do about it?

We could start with substantial investment in developing electric cars and renewable resources. Don’t forget to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure. The casualties would be the oil-producing countries who would lose vital revenue. Let’s not forget the government would lose billions in tax on fuel sales. Going green will be great for the planet, but the government will raise taxes. Talking of which…

… I foresee the government hiking PAYE and corporation tax by up to +-7% to claw back the money it spent during the pandemic. There may be very little hiding room for corporations who have evaded paying their ‘fair share’ since 2008. However, when raising taxation, the government treads a thin line. Tax is a sensitive issue and will not please many Tories, although I can’t see Labour having a problem with such actions. 

As for Future holidays, it will be a staycation. I recommend a fortnight in the West Country. Airlines may not return to normal for years, fewer and more expensive seats due to failures..

The Office Culture

Many businesses allowed their staff to work from home. It would not surprise me if CEOs and Directors had discussed with HR that possibility in the past but didn’t allow it for productivity reasons. By now, I’m sure many CEOs, jobsworths, and bosses have realised their businesses can operate and not suffer without the staff at desks. 

Could home working become the norm?

CEOs could cut costs by decentralising London operations.. Doing so will give the CEO access to more applicants who wouldn’t move to London. It will be a significant benefit to Employees who rise and shine, have breakfast, and sit at a desk in their home, or maybe work closer to home on a short commute. 

If the company bosses seek to lower salaries in a few years because of no longer needing to travel to work, it won’t be a surprise.? 

On a personal note, by not travelling to London, I’d save the following every week:

1. train fares (Oyster £75.50)
2. driving to Amersham parking (30 miles round journey; 5 X 6miles)
3. parking (£36.00)
4. lunch and coffees (£60.00; 2 X Coffees and lunch of £6 per day)

Not everybody can work from home. Employees of the NHS, emergency services, hospitality, retail and transport services will always be in the ‘office’. However, with trains and buses carrying fewer commuters, there will be more room available. Tourists will find it easier to use the London Underground to visit tourist attractions.

House Prices in London: 

If large companies decentralise their operations away from London, or any major city, house prices would drop. Who wants to live in London when there are higher paying jobs and better standards of living elsewhere??

So, here follow a few final thoughts.

1. If fewer people move to London, could it solve the question of affordable housing?
2. Less congestion on the roadways and motorways means less damage to the roads and fewer accidents.
3. with lower pollution levels, the NHS will see a decline in patients with respiratory problems.

The above are my views, and there are many more I could add. No doubt readers will point out their thoughts. I believe change is coming, like it or not. Much will depend on how we, as citizens of the UK.

As Technical Author, an interviewer asks what makes a good Technical Author. Based on my 23 years of experience, here is my take on what makes either a poor, a good or an excellent technical writer.

Poor technical writers edit the content and leave it at that. There are no questions, no curiosity, even when instructions do not read correctly. In which case, if that is, you start looking for a new job.

Good technical writers :

• Logically set out the steps starting at A and avoid no detailed Work Instructions leading to Step Z.
• Methodically test the steps
• ensure the content is easy to read and understood by reviewers
• They know their ABCs

Excellent technical writers go a step further – we:

• ask why – who – what – when – where, and how
• analyse the problem the user is experiencing  
• ask how the documentation will solve the problem
• anticipate the issues users could encounter and the questions they will ask when they follow the material.
• Build relationships with teams across the floor
• Use humour and diplomacy to get what we want
• Pretend we are a user reading the document for the first time
• include links to related topics to keep the user briefed

All the above takes time, effort, and creative thinking, but as excellence is a byword, we never feel the pain.

By covering the above points, the documentation will positively impact the business. Excellent documentation boosts user adoption and reduces support services..

Poor project management has a major impact on technical documentation. In other words of you don’t listen to me, we will be up to our necks writing and managing techdocs while everyone else has their feet up and enjoying a few beers. This article delves into the intersection of project management and technical documentation. 

Put a plan around a project or a project around a plan.

Without a proper project plan, technical documentation is at risk of failing.. Those without experience tend to alter objectives and add to the project without heeding the technical writer’s experience and advice.. 

Documentation alone cannot replace a plan, but it can aid in rescuing a struggling project. Taking the time for documentation analysis can help the project by reducing risks and increasing quality..

Frustrated

Experienced technical writers may become frustrated when the project timeline is unrealistic. This happens when:

• working with staff members who have no experience working with documentation and assume it’s a straightforward task
• unworkable deadlines that sacrifice documentation quality and lead to frustration among internal parties

It is worth bearing in mind: 

• Rely on the TA’s knowledge to schedule technical documentation and establish a timeline.
• Writing or migrating content is not an instantaneous process; a failure to work with the writers could lead to counterproductive problems. 
• If the timeline is genuinely tight, develop a list of documentation priorities for users to adopt the product.

A typical breakdown for a technical writing project includes:

• Research the underlying technology and related issues required for the documentation effort.
• Dedicated time for writing.
• Dedicated time for editing. Copy editing and editing for style, clarity, and other issues.
• Dedicated time to review the technical accuracy of the documentation. Never assume that a document is correct. Always create review time for accuracy by SMEs.

Allow sufficient ramp-up time

Technical writers need sufficient ramp-up time to become versed in the product. While ramp-up time is relative, depending on the writer, a project manager can support the writer:

• Supply the technical writer with the hardware and software quickly..
• Provide the system access, usernames, and passwords.

Ramp-up time for technical writers is beyond the learning curve.

Review the reviewers

As a technical writer, it is important to maintain the accuracy of your documentation. Include the time for technical reviews in the project schedule..

• Scheduled time for technical staff, project managers, and other reviewers to review the documentation.
• Time for the technical writers to add the revisions to the documentation.

Can project managers and technical writers get along?

Technical documentation of superior quality necessitates the involvement of technical writers. Effective collaboration between project managers and technical writers can cause improved design and customer support.. Having customers who can solve their own problems without contacting customer support can benefit a company.