Technical Writer Manager
Resume:
Denise Ellard
Poway, CA **064
************@*****.***
I am a senior technical writer with more than twenty years of experience in all phases of the
Summary
documentation process. I’ve proven to be a quick study of complex system designs and can
communicate technical concepts in both written and graphic form to users of any level.
I’ve written engineering specifications, technical user manuals, API and reference guides,
end-user documentation, newsletters, online help, training materials, topics, and so on.
Windows, Mac, and UNIX operating systems
Skills
Arbortext Epic Editor, Adobe FrameMaker, Microsoft Office products, Madcap Flare,
XMetal, DITA, and single-sourcing content.
Content management systems, defect tracking software, HTML editors, screen capture
programs
XML/HTML, some Visual Basic, some C/C++, proprietary languages, information mapping, and
data architecture
Recommending and executing internal process improvements for scheduling, tracking,
publishing, and releasing documentation
Qualcomm, San Diego, CA 2010-present
Experience
Staff Technical Writer (contract)
Updating hardware (chip) design documents using Word and FrameMaker
Determining how to convert legacy documents to HTML and how to move content to
CMS
Analyzing content for usability and conversion to topic-based authoring
Qualcomm, San Diego, CA, 2006-2009
Staff Technical Writer
Created, edited, maintained various documents including quarterly release notes, user
guides for several products, solutions for knowledge base, and frequent technical
bulletins
Achieved consensus between engineering and operations departments to incorporate an
automated method for producing release notes from an internal IT application
Compiled a comprehensive style guide, approved by engineering and support groups,
which incorporated standard editing principles, research-based best practices (for
example, minimalism), and product-specific requirements
Moved Word file content to topic-based DITA using Madcap Flare
Led an ongoing effort to convert legacy documentation to topics and then to DITA
framework for multiple outputs; trained other writers on DITA and minimalism
Led a team of writers to convert large system specifications from Word to FrameMaker
Developed more efficient documentation processes and, as a result, reduced turnaround
time for writing and releasing documentation
Created and managed an IT solution for department-wide documentation requests using
internal engineering bug and enhancement tracking system
Worked with training departments to coordinate research efforts to reduce duplication and
encourage knowledge reuse
Researched and wrote software release notes manuals for the engineers, which contributed
to the reduction in customer downtime and frustration, and in time engineers spent
taking calls
Significantly improved the usability of several large documents (as described by support
personnel)
Completed available technical training classes for most components of wireless technology
and radio networks
PeopleSoft/Oracle, Pleasanton, CA, 1996-2006
Senior Technical Writer, 1998-2006
Worked on content for all phases of the documentation
Embraced and trained other writers to use structured tools for authoring in Arbortext,
which included streamlining documents
Proficient in use of content management system and planning how to chunk information
Created various documentation types for Oracle application products including user
guides, API guides, and so on
Contributed to screen design and usability of application software
Participated in several interdepartmental committees to determine templates, styles, and
conventions for use in all external content
Knowledge Base Developer, 1996–1998
Created knowledge base solutions for internal support center
Worked on project from inception to roll out with cross functional team
Created online documentation for knowledge base, wrote and presented instructional
guides to various departments
NCR, San Diego, CA, 1980–1996
Senior Technical Writer 1985-1996
Worked on all phases of documentation process including participation in product design
meetings, scheduling, writing, testing, reviewing, and publishing
Won an STC award for a customer installable mid-sized computer, which included
hardware setup and system generation software
Took a lead role in setting up a customer focused “test” center to verify the usability,
clarity, and accuracy of user guides
System Configuration Management Manager, 1984–1985
Managed five employees and standard configuration management processes
System Programmer, 1980–1984
Worked on programming tasks within a system architecture group
Created and executed test cases for proprietary minicomputer; wrote test reports
Maintained internal report tracking tool using proprietary programming language
Education Computer/Information Systems Certificate program, Chapman College, Anaheim,
California
Master’s program in Early Childhood Education, University of California, Berkeley,
California
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California
Teaching Credential K-12, University of California, Berkeley, California
References Available on request
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