STC Webinar: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Content Management, But Were Afraid to Ask
When?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
1:00-2:30 p.m. EDT (Doors open at 12:30)
Where?
Waterloo Public Library
35 Albert Street, Waterloo [map]
How much and how do I register?
Cost: Free for STC members and $35 (CDN) for non-members (bring a cheque, payable to 'STC Southwestern Ontario Chapter').
RVSP: If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Carol Lawless at recorder@stc-soc.org. In your email message, include the names of all attendees and their membership status. Seating is limited, so RSVP early!
Topic Description
Delving into content management (CM) is entering an unfamiliar and sometimes confusing world. It's not unusual for a well-meaning IT group of a corporation to install a well-respected, but inappropriate for technical publishing, content management application and expect the technical documentation department to start churning out documentation using the new system – and what about that return on investment they expect to see after a few months? Knowing the basics of CM is more than a protection mechanism; it's a way of preparing for the next big trend in documentation production.
This seminar provides the groundwork for understanding what a content management system is and what it does, the differences between various types of CM systems, some circumstances under which CM can be beneficial, and techniques for determining system suitability. The seminar will also demystify the industry vocabulary, thereby eliminating some of the barriers that can slow down the investigative process.
Some the points covered are:
- Where does structured authoring and XML content management fit in the larger content management industry and why is it important to understand the difference?
- What are the components of a CM system for technical publishing?
- What the “must have” characteristics you want to look for in CMS, and why?
- What are organization-dependent variables?
- What are some of the most frequent risk factors that threaten project success, and how can you mitigate those risks in your project?
- How do you balance the immediate need for ROI with the need to fit into the corporate strategic plan?
About the Speaker
Rahel Anne Bailie is a content management consultant helping organizations analyze their business requirements and spectrum of content to get the right content management fit. Coming from a technical communication and usability background, she understands the complexities of structured authoring and user-centered design. She is principal of Intentional Design Inc, a consultancy focusing on performance improvement for communication products, and a managing partner with the multidisciplinary Strategy A Consulting Group in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What is a Webinar?
STC is expanding its telephone seminar series to include presentations with Web-based features. In a Web and telephone seminar, participants listen to the presenter over the phone (much like a conference call) while viewing presentation materials over the Web. This format provides easier access to materials for reference during the presentation, as well as a more intimate, "classroom" setting than the typical telephone seminar.
