Advice on How to be an Outstanding Project Manager of Content Projects

The book Managing Writers by Richard L. Hamilton provides practical hands-on information in an informative yet engaging manner.   The information is given in manageable, digestible chunks that can be applied to any project immediately.

Knowing what Hamilton refers to as the elements of technical writing and what it takes to be a good and useful project manager will go a long way in working with teammates to produce and deliver quality projects on time, if not earlier.  Hamilton states, “I believe the strongest management style is one that avoids tight control and encourages independence.”  This statement is true of any effective project manager.  A manager should want to build a team atmosphere not run a dictatorship.  If you have ever worked for a dictator disguised as a manager, you know deep down he or she was unsure of their abilities and therefore needed to try and control all aspects of the environment and job duties to make themselves look and feel more confident.  

Obtaining a Master of Business Administration is the best preparation to enhance project management skills.  Unfortunately, not everyone wants to or has the means to pursue a master’s degree, so they are forced to learn on the job.  This is where excellent mentors, on the job training, and self-study come into play.  Hamilton further states, “I believe the most important function of a manager is to set up an environment where writers can be productive.”  Productivity is the key to success.  Without a useful product delivered on time, the documentation or project manager has failed at his or her job and is no longer an asset to the company.  Hamilton and I both agree, “It’s important to not think you know it all.  Everyone can grow and learn no matter their station in life.”

The most significant statement that sticks out in Hamilton’s book is, “I have developed a set of strategies and tactics based on solid principles that have served me well.”  I am a big fan of adapting Michael Gerber's philosophy on business automation outlined in the books E Myth Mastery and The E Myth Revisited.  Success doesn’t come with making a new wheel or even reinventing the wheel.  It comes with adapting tried and true principles, philosophies, or what have you to fit your particular situation or environment.   Therefore, effective documentation or project managers need to adapt Hamilton’s strategies and tactics in a manner conducive to their team, company, and client environment.

According to Hamilton, the first step in adopting these strategies and tactics is to understand the elements of technical writing.  These elements are: “product, developers, audience, tasks, deliverables, environment, and schedule.”  To be a useful project manager it is vital to understand these elements, how they work together, and maximize them to their fullest potential.  Reading Managing Writers will help you learn the principles and tactics and be able to tie them all together so that you can successfully implement projects.