How we work
Request for quotation
After receiving a request for quotation (RFQ), we generally follow these steps:
- Scope the work and prepare a synopsis. You may already have this in hand, in which case we jump to step 2.
- Prepare a project plan for the work to be carried out.
- Submit a quotation based on the above information.
Responsibilities
Once a project is agreed and started, both client and T3TC responsibilities are outlined below.
T3TC
- produce work to the agreed specification and standard
- report progress on a regular basis
- maintain security of material
- maintain and circulate an open issues log
- manage project and prompt client when necessary
Client
- provide subject experts, materials, and the equipment or software to be written about
- proof read draft and final copy
- sign-off material produced
Place of work
We work in a pragmatic and practical way, working on site when this is essential for practical reasons. For many projects the work is carried out remotely.
Data security
Data security is a key issue whatever working arrangement we make with clients and any work performed away from the client's server is backed up to onsite and offsite facilities on a daily basis.
Getting up to speed in a new subject area
Clients often ask how we get up to speed in an unfamiliar technical or business area. Well there's no magic formula other than reading, doing and asking. Most of the time it's a question of employing good comprehension skills and applying the technical author's fundamental tenant ‘know your reader’. Our approach is to view the product or service from the users' perspective and ask the question ‘what does the user need to know?’ From this starting point information is gathered and knowledge is built up.
Standards
We usually work to a client's in-house style guide and standards. However, in the absence of these we refer to BS4884 and BS4899, and the Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Pulications.