{"id":1757,"date":"2018-05-23T08:20:56","date_gmt":"2018-05-23T12:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lios.ca\/?p=1757"},"modified":"2018-05-23T08:27:05","modified_gmt":"2018-05-23T12:27:05","slug":"how-to-outsource-effectively","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lios.ca\/en\/blogue\/how-to-outsource-effectively\/","title":{"rendered":"How to outsource effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, you’ve decided to seek help to produce your technical documentation? Maybe even our article “Outsource or Hire? A few thoughts to help you choose<\/a>” helped you decide?<\/p>\n

All you have to do now is make sure everything goes smoothly. Your documentation has to be produced as efficiently as possible and, especially, it has to hit your targets. But how? Here are five tips to help you get started.<\/p>\n

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1. Choose the right sub-contractors<\/h4>\n

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\nStep One. You need to choose THE company that meets your needs. First and foremost, look for sub-contractors that have a proven track record. If you know one of their past clients, that\u2019s great. This will help you find out more about their work methods, the quality of their deliverables and, most importantly, whether they are reliable and meet deadlines. Otherwise, you can ask sub-contractors to provide references and then contact their clients on your own.<\/p>\n

As we’ve already mentioned in “What Should You Look for in a Technical Writer?<\/a>“, good technical writers must have good writing and communication skills. Ask your sub-contractors to provide samples of their work, in your own area of expertise if possible. That way, you\u2019ll know if their work is up to your expectations.<\/p>\n

Have you found a sub-contractor who\u2019s familiar with your area of expertise? That\u2019s definitely a good sign. Even if your products are totally revolutionary, that doesn\u2019t mean you should produce your own technical documentation. Don\u2019t forget: with a little support from your team, a talented technical writer should be able to learn quickly and clearly explain anything you produce.<\/p>\n

2. Clearly define your goals<\/h4>\n

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\nBefore you bring in a sub-contractor, make sure your technical documentation goals are clearly defined. How will your documentation be used? To provide your clients with better product support? To improve your staff’s performance? To assist your sales team? When you set clear goals, you end up with documentation that meets both your expectations and your users’ needs. Sub-contractors can even help you set your project goals and scope. Before you start, be sure to define the following:<\/p>\n